Petrol imports rose sharply by 59.5 per cent in May after months of decline, as oil marketers increased purchases from foreign suppliers despite rising output from domestic refineries, according to data obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The latest Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Statistics released by the NMDPRA, on Thursday, showed that average daily imports of Premium Motor Spirit increased from 3.7 million litres per day in April to 5.9 million litres per day in May.
The increase came as crude oil supply to domestic refineries declined during the period, raising concerns over the sustainability of local fuel production and the country’s drive towards self-sufficiency in petroleum products.
According to the data, crude receipts by domestic refineries fell from 612,000 barrels per day in April to 578,000 barrels per day in May, representing a 5.6 per cent decline.
The report showed that total PMS supply rose from 44.4 million litres per day in April to 47.4 million litres per day in May, an increase of 6.8 per cent.
Of the total petrol volume supplied in May, domestic refineries contributed 41.5 million litres daily, while imports accounted for 5.9 million litres per day.
The report read, “Crude oil supplied to domestic refineries declined by 5.6 per cent in May, falling from 612,000 barrels per day in April to 578,000 barrels per day. The country’s total petrol supply increased by 6.8 per cent month-on-month, rising from 44.4 million litres per day in April to 47.4 million litres per day in May.
“Petrol supplied from domestic sources rose marginally by two per cent to 41.5 million litres per day in May, compared to 40.7 million litres per day recorded in April. While there was a sharp increase in imported petrol volumes, which surged by 59.5 per cent from 3.7 million litres per day in April to 5.9 million litres per day in May.”
The statistics suggest that while local refineries remained the dominant source of petrol supply, imported products played an increasingly important role in bridging supply gaps.
The rise in imports comes after a period of significant moderation in fuel import volumes following the commencement of operations at major domestic refining facilities.
The latest figures indicate that Nigeria has yet to fully eliminate its dependence on imported petrol, especially as refinery feedstock supplies remain unstable.
An analysis of NMDPRA supply data for the first quarter of 2026 shows that petrol imports had remained relatively subdued compared to historical levels before rebounding in May, even as domestic refineries remained the dominant source of supply.
The data indicated that total daily petrol supply stood at 64.9 million litres in January, with domestic refineries contributing 40.1 million litres per day while imports by oil marketing companies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited accounted for 24.8 million litres per day.
However, imports dropped sharply in February as local refining gained momentum. Imported volumes fell to just three million litres per day, while domestic refinery supplies stood at 29.4 million litres per day, bringing total daily supply to 32.4 million litres.
In March, imports increased to 5.9 million litres per day, while domestic refinery receipts rose to 34.2 million litres per day. This pushed the total petrol supply to 40.1 million litres daily.
The upward trend in domestic supply continued in April, with local refineries supplying 40.7 million litres per day compared to imports of 3.7 million litres per day. Total daily petrol availability consequently rose to 44.4 million litres.
By May, domestic refinery receipts climbed further to 41.5 million litres per day, the highest level recorded during the five months. However, imports also surged to 5.9 million litres per day, representing a 59.5 per cent increase compared to April. The rise in imported volumes helped lift total daily petrol supply to 47.4 million litres.
A month-by-month analysis showed that imported petrol volumes fell by about 76 per cent between January and May, declining from 24.8 million litres per day to 5.9 million litres per day. This reflects the growing contribution of domestic refineries to Nigeria’s fuel supply chain despite occasional increases in import volumes to bridge supply gaps.
The figures further showed that domestic refinery contributions rose by about 3.5 per cent between January and May, increasing from 40.1 million litres per day to 41.5 million litres per day. As a result, locally refined products accounted for nearly 88 per cent of total petrol supply in May, compared to about 62 per cent in January.
The PUNCH