Nigeria's reliance on imported petrol persists, with the country spending heavily on foreign fuel despite the commencement of production at the Dangote Refinery in September 2024. According to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigeria imported approximately 15.01 billion litres of petrol between August 2024 and October 2025, accounting for 69% of the nation's total fuel supply during this period.

The NMDPRA report highlights a gradual shift towards domestic refining, with local production increasing from 6.43 million litres per day in September 2024 to 18.93 million litres per day by October 2025. Despite this growth, imports continue to dominate the market, with petrol imports averaging 54.30 million litres per day in September 2024 and declining to 15.11 million litres per day in the first 10 days of October 2025.

The Dangote Refinery has been producing an average of 20 million litres of petrol daily, exceeding imports for the month of October. The refinery's impact on Nigeria's fuel supply landscape is becoming increasingly evident, with experts predicting a potential reduction in import dependence and improved energy security in the long run ¹.