KEY POINTS
- Petrol imports rose to 5.9 million litres per day in March despite strong Dangote refinery output
- National fuel consumption declined across petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, while supply trends remained mixed
- Dangote refinery operated at over 93 percent capacity as state-owned refineries stayed shut down
Nigeria’s petrol importation rose sharply in March 2026, even as domestic refining capacity remained strong, according to new data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
The agency disclosed that Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) imports increased to 5.9 million litres per day, up from 3.0 million litres per day recorded in February. This rise occurred despite significant output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which produced 48.2 million litres per day of petrol during the period.
Of the refinery’s total PMS output, 34.2 million litres per day was supplied to the domestic market, marking a decline from 36.5 million litres per day recorded in February. National petrol consumption also dropped to 47.3 million litres per day from 56.9 million litres per day in the previous month.
Fuel supply dynamics shift as consumption drops and imports rise
Overall PMS supply rose marginally to 40.1 million litres per day from 39.5 million litres per day, while stock sufficiency fell to 21.2 days, down from 30.7 days in February. National petrol sufficiency averaged 21 days in March, below the benchmark of 50 million litres per day.
Diesel, also known as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), recorded a significant drop in supply, falling to 10.3 million litres per day from 24.4 million litres per day. Domestic diesel production declined to 3.9 million litres per day, while imports also reduced to 6.4 million litres per day. Consumption stood at 14.5 million litres per day, lower than February’s 20.3 million litres per day, although stock sufficiency improved to 55.4 days.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply remained steady at 4.7 thousand tonnes per day, with increased domestic production offsetting a decline in imports. Petrol Consumption dipped slightly to 5.1 thousand tonnes per day, while national sufficiency stood at 14 days.
Aviation fuel, or Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), also recorded reduced consumption at 2.1 million litres per day, down from 2.9 million litres per day. However, stock sufficiency improved significantly to 109 days.
The report further showed that domestic gas supply increased to 4.888 billion standard cubic feet per day, reflecting improved output levels, including supplies to Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas.
