Petrol imports into Nigeria dropped sharply in January 2026, falling by 42.2 per cent to 24.8 million litres per day from 42.8 million litres in December 2025, according to a report from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Meanwhile, domestic supply from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery increased by 25.3 per cent last month, reaching 40.1 million litres per day, up from 32 million litres in December. Total daily petrol supply in January stood at 64.9 million litres, representing a 12.5 per cent decline compared to December’s 74.2 million litres.
The report noted that Nigeria recorded 33 days of petrol sufficiency in January, a 13 per cent improvement over December, attributed to better supply performance. While daily consumption is benchmarked at 50 million litres, actual average consumption reached 60.2 million litres per day. Daily truck-out volumes for diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG were 19.2 million litres, 3.5 million litres, and 4,860 metric tonnes respectively. The Dangote Refinery operated at 61.27 per cent capacity, while the three federal refineries managed by NNPC Limited remained shut.
In other developments, Winters-mith Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited in Imo State has begun test runs for the second phase of its refinery, currently producing 5,000 barrels per day (bpd) of diesel, kerosene, naphtha, and heavy fuel oil. The Phase Two expansion, now undergoing pre-commissioning since late 2025, is expected to raise capacity to 50,000 bpd, significantly boosting domestic refining volumes.
NMDPRA confirmed the “introduction of hydrocarbon” into the facility, signaling that the plant has moved beyond mechanical completion to live operational testing. Analysts say this milestone reflects progress in Nigeria’s modular refinery sector, which is key to reducing import dependence, strengthening energy security, and supporting local value addition.
Speaking on the state of the downstream and midstream sectors, NMDPRA CEO Engr. Saidu Mohammed described the industry as undergoing a “renaissance” fueled by reforms, investment, and regulatory clarity. He noted that the Petroleum Industry Act has fully liberalized the downstream market, with pricing now market-driven.
Engr. Mohammed highlighted the Dangote Refinery as a game changer, citing reforms that have cut import-related fiscal losses by over N6 trillion. He reassured stakeholders that regulation will remain fair, decisive, and focused on enabling value, emphasizing that confidence is the “true currency” of the market.
