Nigeria to Receive 149,500 Metric Tonnes of Petrol Amid Postponement of 15% Import Duty

A total of 149,500 metric tonnes, equivalent to 194.35 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, is set to arrive in Nigeria through various ports between Friday, November 21, and Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

This comes shortly after the Federal Government postponed the implementation of a 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel, initially approved by President Bola Tinubu in October. The tariff was intended to protect local refineries and stabilise the downstream market, but it was expected to increase pump prices.

In a letter dated October 21, 2025, and reported publicly on October 30, 2025, Tinubu instructed the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to implement the tariff, which would apply a 15 per cent duty on the cost, insurance, and freight value of imported petrol and diesel to align import costs with domestic market conditions. However, last week, the government announced that the policy would now take effect in the first quarter of 2026.

The Nigerian Ports Authority’s latest Shipping Position revealed that Tincan Island Port received the highest volume, handling 58,500 metric tonnes over two days. Calabar Port handled 46,000 metric tonnes, while Warri Port received 45,000 metric tonnes. Specific arrivals include 28,000 metric tonnes at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Phase 3a on November 21, and 20,500 metric tonnes at the same terminal on November 22, with an additional 10,000 metric tonnes through KLT Phase 2 at Tincan Island.

Calabar Port is expected to receive 16,000 metric tonnes via Dozzy Oil on November 24, followed by 30,000 metric tonnes via North West Petroleum on November 25. Warri Port recorded 15,000 metric tonnes on November 21 through Rainoil Terminal and 30,000 metric tonnes over November 22 via Rainoil and Matric Energy Nigeria Limited.

The surge in imports follows a recent 49 naira per litre cut in the ex-depot price of petrol by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has significantly altered market dynamics. Many petroleum marketers are now expanding imports in anticipation of continued price adjustments, a strategy further encouraged by the postponement of the government’s 15 per cent import duty, which had been designed to favour locally refined products.

The Shipping Position, published daily by the NPA, provides near real-time information on vessel traffic, cargoes, and port arrivals across major Nigerian ports including Lagos (Apapa), Tincan, Onne, Rivers, Calabar, and Delta.