Petrol imports jumped by 97% in March despite local supply – NMDPRA.

Petrol imports into Nigeria rose sharply in March 2026, increasing by about 96.7 per cent compared to February, amid ongoing adjustments in the country’s fuel supply chain.

Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority shows that import volumes climbed from 3.0 million litres per day in February to 5.9 million litres per day in March.

Despite the surge in imports, domestic supply also recorded notable growth, rising from 30.5 million litres per day to 34.2 million litres per day. This increase is largely driven by local refiners, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which continues to strengthen its presence in the market.

Overall, total daily petrol supply saw a marginal increase from 39.5 million litres to 40.1 million litres within the period under review.

However, petrol consumption declined significantly, dropping from 56.9 million litres per day in February to 47.3 million litres per day in March. The drop in demand is attributed to rising fuel prices, with petrol selling as high as N1,275 per litre during the month.

Stock sufficiency also weakened, falling from 30.7 days to 21.2 days, indicating tighter inventory levels despite higher import volumes.

The data reflects a complex transition in Nigeria’s downstream sector, where increased imports are occurring alongside expanding local refining capacity. While imports nearly doubled, domestic supply continues to account for the larger share of the market, highlighting the growing role of local production.

In the diesel segment, supply dropped sharply from 24.4 million litres per day in February to 10.3 million litres per day in March. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply remained stable at 4.7 kilotonnes per day, with a higher contribution from domestic sources.

Gas supply also recorded a slight increase, rising from 4.771 billion standard cubic feet per day to 4.888 billion, indicating steady growth in the segment.

Industry developments also point to expanding refining capacity, with ongoing progress at facilities such as the Waltersmith Refinery, where additional processing capacity is being introduced.

The combined impact of large-scale and modular refining projects is expected to gradually reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel while strengthening energy security over time.