Nigeria’s importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, recorded a significant increase in June 2026, despite earlier assurances by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) that it had stopped issuing new import licences for the product.
According to the NMDPRA’s June 2026 factsheet, Nigeria imported 543 million litres of petrol in June, representing a 207 per cent increase compared to the 182.9 million litres imported in May. The report highlights a renewed dependence on imported fuel, even as local refining capacity continues to expand.
The same report showed that Dangote Refinery, Nigeria’s largest private refinery, supplied 975 million litres of petrol to the domestic market in June. This represents a 22 per cent decline from the 1.28 billion litres supplied in May. Although the refinery maintained production, the volume released into the domestic market was considerably lower than the previous month.
Overall, the country recorded a total PMS supply of 1.518 billion litres during June, while estimated national consumption stood at 1.422 billion litres. The figures indicate that supply exceeded consumption, leaving a modest surplus that could support stock replenishment.
The latest data also revealed that Nigeria’s daily petrol imports rose sharply from about 3 million litres per day to approximately 18.1 million litres per day in June. This development comes months after the NMDPRA announced that no new licences would be issued for PMS importation, raising fresh questions about the country’s fuel supply strategy.
The continued importation of petrol has generated debate among industry stakeholders. While Dangote Refinery has repeatedly argued that large-scale fuel imports undermine local refining and discourage domestic investment, regulators and some marketers maintain that imports remain necessary to guarantee energy security and prevent supply shortages.
According to the NMDPRA factsheet, Dangote Refinery produced an average of 39.1 million litres of petrol per day during June but supplied 32.5 million litres per day to the market. The report also confirmed that the three refineries owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) remained shut throughout the month and did not contribute to domestic fuel production.
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has criticised the Federal Government’s approval of fresh petroleum import licences, warning that the policy is worsening price instability and placing additional pressure on the naira.
Reacting to the development, IPMAN National Publicity Secretary Chinedu Ukadike said independent marketers had carefully assessed the current state of the downstream petroleum sector, including the impact of price fluctuations, import licences and the sale of petroleum products in foreign currency.
He urged the Federal Government to review the policy through the NMDPRA, stressing that the regulator should ensure transparency and fairness in the downstream sector.
Ukadike expressed concern that some companies granted import licences were selling imported petrol at around ₦1,350 per litre, a price significantly higher than that offered by Dangote Refinery. According to him, if the objective of issuing import licences was to moderate domestic fuel prices, allowing the importation of more expensive products defeats that purpose.
He warned that the situation could create uncertainty in the downstream market, making it increasingly difficult for independent marketers to make business decisions while also exposing consumers to continued price volatility.
Beyond petrol, the NMDPRA report also highlighted changes in the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas. Total LPG receipts increased from 4.1 kilotons per day in May to 5.1 kilotons per day in June, representing a 24.4 per cent increase.
However, domestic LPG supply declined from 4.0 kilotons per day to 3.6 kilotons per day, a drop of 10 per cent. The increase in overall LPG supply was driven by imports, which rose from 0.1 kilotons per day in May to 1.5 kilotons per day in June, representing a remarkable 1,400 per cent increase.
Despite the increase in available LPG, consumption fell from 4.5 kilotons per day in May to 4.1 kilotons per day in June, indicating that supply exceeded demand during the period and may have contributed to higher inventory levels.
The report further showed that the supply of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, declined during the month. Daily diesel receipts dropped from 18.8 million litres in May to 16.2 million litres in June, representing a 13.8 per cent decrease. The decline was attributed entirely to lower domestic supply, while no diesel imports were recorded in either May or June.
The latest NMDPRA data underscores the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, where rising fuel imports, fluctuating domestic refinery output and ongoing concerns over pricing continue to shape the country’s energy market. Industry stakeholders are expected to continue engaging the Federal Government on policies aimed at strengthening local refining, ensuring stable fuel supply and protecting consumers from excessive price volatility. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
