Dangote Refinery Supplies 92% of Petrol as FG Pauses Fuel Imports
Dangote Refinery Supplies 92% of Petrol as FG Pauses Fuel Imports
Nigeria’s reliance on imported petrol has sharply declined as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery now accounts for about 92 percent of the country’s daily petrol supply, prompting the Federal Government to temporarily pause fuel imports.
Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority showed that domestic refining, largely driven by the Dangote refinery, produced the majority of the country’s petrol in February 2026. The refinery’s output significantly reduced the need for imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which for years dominated Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
According to industry figures, Nigeria’s total petrol supply in February stood at around 39.5 million litres per day, with roughly 92 percent coming from domestic refining. The development marks a major shift for the country, which historically depended heavily on imported petrol to meet local demand.
Officials also confirmed that no new licences for petrol importation have been issued this year, as local production is currently sufficient to meet national consumption levels. The decision effectively puts Nigeria on a path toward greater energy self-sufficiency after decades of reliance on foreign fuel imports.
The refinery, owned by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, operates with a capacity of about 650,000 barrels per day and is capable of producing more than 50 million litres of petrol daily for the domestic market. The massive facility is considered the largest single-train refinery in Africa and one of the largest in the world.
Industry analysts say the rise of local refining could reduce Nigeria’s demand for foreign exchange used for fuel imports and stabilize supply across the country. However, some stakeholders have raised concerns about the possibility of market dominance if the refinery becomes the primary supplier of petrol nationwide.
Despite the shift toward local supply, petrol prices at filling stations have largely remained above ₦1,200 per litre in several parts of the country, even after the refinery reportedly reduced its gantry price by about ₦100
Experts say the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s downstream oil sector could reshape the country’s fuel market in the coming years as domestic refining capacity continues to expand.
