The Dangote Petroleum Refinery accounted for approximately 92% of Nigeria’s daily petrol supply in February 2026, prompting the Federal Government to halt petrol imports entirely this year.
According to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), domestic refining delivered about 36.5 million litres of petrol per day out of a national total of 39.5 million litres in February.
This marked a dramatic shift from heavy import reliance, with imports dropping to just 3 million litres per day (8% of supply) from 24.8 million litres per day (38.3%) in January.
An NMDPRA source confirmed: “It’s correct that we’ve not issued import licences this year. It is obvious that the local production has met national requirements. So, there’s no need for importation.”
The pause in imports aligns with the refinery’s ramp-up to full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, enabling it to supply over 50 million litres of petrol daily to the domestic market.
This has reversed Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on imported fuel, which peaked at 52.1 million litres per day (72.7% of supply) in November 2025.
The sharp decline in total supply, from 64.9 million litres per day in January to 39.5 million in February reflects the transition away from imports, though it has raised concerns among some industry players about potential monopolistic tendencies in the downstream sector.
One anonymous operator noted: “Dangote is gradually enjoying a monopoly in the downstream, and we all know that this is not healthy for any sector... It won’t be right to allow a monopoly in the downstream. It won’t be in the interest of the country.”
Despite recent reductions by Dangote, lowering its gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N1,175 to N1,075 per litre (a N100 cut) amid falling global crude prices pump prices at filling stations have remained elevated, often above N1,200 per litre in major cities like Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) spokesman Chinedu Ukadike suggested that pump prices could ease if global Brent crude prices decline further following resolution of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The development strengthens Nigeria’s energy security by reducing foreign exchange outflows on fuel imports and boosting local refining, though it comes amid ongoing volatility in global oil markets and adjustments in domestic pricing dynamics.
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