Nigeria imported about 15.01 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) between August 2024 and the first 10 days of October 2025, representing nearly 69 per cent of the total national petrol supply during the 15-month period.
This is despite the fact that the Dangote refinery started petrol production in September 2024.
Figures from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority show that total PMS supply for the period stood at 21.68 billion litres, with 6.67 billion litres, or 31 per cent, coming from domestic refining.
The data, titled Import vs Domestic Supply Performance (PMS Daily Average Supply – August 2024 to October 2025), captured supply trends over 15 months, highlighting the gradual rise in local production and a corresponding drop in imports.
According to the breakdown, imported petrol averaged 44.60 million litres per day in August 2024 and rose to 54.30 million litres per day in September 2024, marking the peak of import dependence during the period. This was a time when the Dangote refinery began PMS supply to the local market.
It was noted that imports began to decline steadily, falling to 24.15 million litres per day by January 2025, 19.26 million litres per day in September 2025, and 15.11 million litres per day within the first 10 days of October 2025.
The decline in petrol imports showed that the Dangote refinery is gradually taking a significant share of the market, but this comes with stiff competition from petrol importers, who repeatedly accused Aliko Dangote of stifling competitors with consistent price reductions.
