Nigeria’s petrol imports rose sharply in May 2026, climbing by 59.5% compared to April, even as domestic refineries increased production and continued to dominate national supply.
New data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that average daily imports of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) rose to 5.9 million litres per day in May, up from 3.7 million litres per day in April. Marketers increased imports to supplement local supply.
The increase came at a time when domestic refineries, particularly private operators, remained the backbone of Nigeria’s petrol supply.
Total petrol supply rose to 47.4 million litres per day in May, up from 44.4 million litres per day in April, representing a 6.8 per cent increase.
Domestic refineries accounted for 41.5 million litres per day, or nearly 88 per cent of total supply, while imports made up the remaining 5.9 million litres per day.
Despite higher output, crude oil feedstock to local refineries declined slightly to 578,000 barrels per day in May from 612,000 barrels per day in April.
Private refineries continued to drive local production, with the Dangote Refinery maintaining a dominant position.
- Dangote Refinery supplied 41.5 million litres per day in May, up from 40.7 million litres in April
- It operated at an average utilisation rate of 101.25 per cent, running at full capacity on most days
- Other refineries recorded mixed performance:
- WalterSmith Refinery: 65.31 per cent utilisation
- Edo Refinery and Petrochemicals: 91.66 per cent utilisation
- Aradel Refinery: 62.94 per cent utilisation
- NNPC-owned Warri and Kaduna refineries remained idle despite ongoing rehabilitation
The data shows that while local refining capacity is strengthening, imports still play a balancing role in supply.
- January imports: 24.8 million litres/day
- February: 3 million litres/day
- March: 5.9 million litres/day
- April: 3.7 million litres/day
- May: 5.9 million litres/day
Although imports rose in May, they remain significantly lower than January levels, reflecting a broader shift toward domestic refining.
