Oil & Energy
Fuel Imports Surged By 207% In June — NMDPRA report
Nigeria’s petrol importation surged by 207 per cent in June 2026, even as domestic Premium Motor Spirit supply fell by 22 per cent, according to the latest data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
The development marked a sharp reversal from the pattern recorded at the beginning of the year when domestic refining was supplying the bulk of the country’s petrol requirements.
The NMDPRA’s June 2026 Fact Sheet, obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, showed that average daily PMS imports rose from 5.9 million litres in May to 18.1 million litres in June.
The 12.2 million-litre daily increase represented a 206.8 per cent month-on-month rise.
In contrast, domestic PMS receipts fell from 41.5 million litres per day in May to 32.5 million litres per day in June, representing a decline of 9 million litres or 21.7 per cent.
Despite the sharp drop in domestic supply, total PMS receipts rose from 47.4 million litres per day in May to 50.6 million litres per day in June. This represented an increase of 3.2 million litres per day or 6.8 per cent.
The report read, “Total PMS receipts rose by seven per cent from 47.4 million litres per day in May to 50.6 million litres in June, driven by a 207 per cent surge in imports to 18.1 million litres, even as domestic supply fell by 22 per cent to 32.5 million litres per day.
“Domestic daily receipts include DPRP gantry and all coastal evacuation receipts. Consumption data is based on volumes trucked out from all facilities into the domestic market.”
The figures suggest that the increase in imports more than compensated for the decline in domestic supply during the month.
The development is significant because Nigeria entered 2026 with a much stronger domestic supply position. In January, domestic PMS supply was reported at 40.1 million litres per day, accounting for about 61.8 per cent of the country’s petrol supply, while imports averaged 24.8 million litres per day.
However, imports fell sharply to 3.0 million litres per day in February before rising to 5.9 million litres per day in March. The country’s dependence on imports then remained relatively low through the following months before the sharp increase recorded in June.
Compared with January, June’s domestic PMS receipts of 32.5 million litres per day were 7.6 million litres, or 19 per cent, lower than the 40.1 million litres recorded at the beginning of the year.
Conversely, June’s import volume of 18.1 million litres per day was 6.7 million litres, or 27 per cent, below January’s 24.8 million litres per day.
However, the composition of supply changed considerably. While domestic supply accounted for the larger share of the market in January, the June figures showed a much greater reliance on imports to supplement local production.
The June data also showed that the country’s crude oil receipts by domestic refineries improved during the month.
Crude oil receipt by domestic refineries rose from 0.578 million barrels per day in 0.632 million barrelsMay to per day in June, an increase of 0.054 million barrels per day, or 9.3 per cent.
The NMDPRA rounded the increase to 10 per cent in its fact sheet.
The rise in crude receipts occurred at a time when domestic PMS supply decreased, indicating that higher crude deliveries alone did not immediately translate into higher petrol receipts in the domestic market.
The figures could also reflect changes in refinery operations, product yields, maintenance activities, evacuation arrangements and the balance between domestic production and imported products.
The June fact sheet further showed that average daily PMS consumption increased marginally from 46.3 million litres in May to 47.4 million litres in June.
The 1.1 million-litre increase represented a 2.4 per cent rise.
The increase in consumption, however, was far smaller than the 207 per cent jump in petrol imports.
As a result, the country’s petrol stock position improved during the month. PMS stock sufficiency rose from 16.2 days in May to 19.7 days in June.
This represented an increase of 3.5 days, or 21.6 per cent.
The improvement means that the country entered July with almost 20 days of petrol stock sufficiency, despite the increased reliance on imports.
The increase in petrol stocks is significant against the background of the supply disruptions and price volatility that have characterised the downstream petroleum market since the removal of petrol subsidy.
At the beginning of 2026, the NMDPRA reported that PMS stock sufficiency had risen to 33 days in January, compared with 29.2 days in December 2025. However, the stock position subsequently declined before recovering to 19.7 days in June.
The June data also showed a dramatic increase in imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas, popularly known as cooking gas.
Total LPG receipts rose from 4.1 kilotonnes per day in May to 5.1KT per day in June, representing a 24.4 per cent increase.
Domestic LPG receipts, however, fell from 4.0KT per day to 3.6KT per day, a decline of 0.4KT per day or 10 per cent.
Imports rose from 0.1KT per day in May to 1.5KT per day in June.
That represented an increase of 1.4KT per day, or 1,400 per cent.
The sharp increase in LPG imports helped push total receipts higher, even as domestic supply declined.
The figures indicate that LPG supply exceeded consumption during the month, potentially supporting inventory replenishment.
The supply of Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel, declined by 14 per cent in June.
AGO receipts fell from 18.8 million litres per day in May to 16.2 million litres per day in June, a decline of 2.6 million litres or 13.8 per cent.
The decline was entirely recorded in domestic receipts as the country recorded no AGO imports in either May or June.
The NMDPRA data showed that diesel consumption remained unchanged at 16 million litres per day in both months.
Consequently, June’s total AGO receipts of 16.2 million litres per day were only marginally above consumption.
Despite the lower supply, AGO stock sufficiency improved from 31 days in May to 37.1 days in June.
That represented an increase of 6.1 days or 19.7 per cent.
The rise in stock sufficiency, despite lower daily receipts, suggests that existing inventories continued to provide a substantial buffer for the diesel market.
The supply of Aviation Turbine Kerosene also fell during the month.
ATK receipts declined from 3.6 million litres per day in May to 2.5 million litres per day in June.
The 1.1 million-litre decline represented a fall of 30.6 per cent.
ATK consumption also fell from 3.1 million litres per day to 2.9 million litres per day, representing a 6.5 per cent decline.
The drop in consumption was, however, significantly smaller than the decline in receipts.
Domestic gas supply rose marginally during the period under review.
The NMDPRA reported that domestic gas supply increased from 4.984 billion standard cubic feet per day in May to 5.116Bscf/d in June.
The increase of 0.132Bscf/d represented a 2.65 per cent rise.
The authority said its domestic gas supply figure includes volumes supplied to the Nigeria LNG Limited.
The modest improvement came as the Federal Government and industry stakeholders continued to focus on increasing gas availability for power generation, industrial production and other domestic uses.
The January-to-June 2026 trend points to a petroleum market that has remained heavily influenced by the changing balance between domestic refining and imports.
Nigeria began the year with domestic PMS supply accounting for the majority of total supply. January’s 40.1 million litres per day from domestic sources compared with 24.8 million litres per day from imports.
By June, however, domestic supply had fallen to 32.5 million litres per day, while imports stood at 18.1 million litres per day.
Although the absolute volume of imports in June remained lower than January’s figure, the sharp increase from the May level showed how quickly the market could turn to imported products when domestic supply weakened.
The trend also highlights the continuing importance of domestic refining capacity to Nigeria’s fuel security.
In May, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery supplied an average of 41.5 million litres of petrol daily, according to reports based on the NMDPRA’s monthly data. The figure was significantly higher than the 40.1 million litres per day recorded in January. However, June’s domestic PMS receipt fell to 32.5 million litres per day.
The development comes amid the gradual transformation of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, with the Dangote refinery increasingly supplying the domestic market while imports continue to act as a balancing source.
The figures also demonstrate that increased refinery crude supply does not automatically guarantee a corresponding increase in domestic petrol receipts. In June, crude receipts rose by about 9.3 per cent, while domestic PMS receipts fell by 21.7 per cent.
For consumers, the most immediate implication is that the country’s petrol supply system remains dependent on a combination of local refining and imports.
The June data therefore presents a mixed picture: domestic refining received more crude, total petrol supply increased and stock levels improved, but local PMS receipts fell sharply while imports surged.
In the wider downstream sector, diesel supply remained entirely domestic, LPG imports increased dramatically to supplement weaker local receipts, aviation fuel supply declined and gas availability recorded modest growth.
The data underscores the continuing transition of Nigeria’s petroleum market from an import-dependent system to a mixed supply structure in which domestic refineries are expected to provide the bulk of demand while imports fill supply gaps.
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The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in partnership with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, has commenced a 12-month Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme for 300 young Nigerians to equip them with technical and professional skills for careers in the petroleum industry.
The programme, which targets graduates in mechanical, electrical and instrumentation engineering, comprises three months of classroom instruction and nine months of on-the-job training, partnering with oil and gas service companies.
According to a statement made available to our correspondent on Saturday and signed by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Dr Obinna Ezeobi, the 300 participants selected through a competitive process, 240 will undergo training in Lagos, while 60 will be trained in Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the programme’s inauguration, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, said the initiative was in line with the Board’s mandate to build local capacity, deepen Nigerian participation in the oil and gas sector and create employment opportunity.
Represented by the Assistant Manager, Human Capacity Development, Tari Bufazi, Ogbe said the programme would provide participants with practical industry exposure and globally recognised certifications.
He said, “This is more than the commencement of a training programme. It is the beginning of a journey for young Nigerians who will acquire world-class skills in mechanical, instrumentation and electrical disciplines.”
Ogbe noted that specialised skills in automation, instrumentation and engineering operations remained critical to the safe and efficient exploitation of Nigeria’s petroleum resources, particularly as the industry prepares for fresh investments.
According to him, “Instrumentation, electrical and mechanical engineering are foundational to the survival, profitability and safety of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. This training is designed to close existing gaps and prepare participants for industry demands.”
He urged the trainees to maximise the opportunity, saying it had the potential to transform them into innovators, problem-solvers and future leaders in the industry.
Also speaking, the General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Olarenwaju Olawuyi, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to developing indigenous capacity through sustained investment in human capital.
Represented by Funso Alabi, Olawuyi said the programme would combine classroom learning with practical field experience in mechanical systems, electrical operations, instrumentation and control, software development, networking and cybersecurity.
He said, “At Renaissance, we believe local content development must create real capability, strengthen indigenous expertise and empower Nigerians to lead.”
Alabi added that the practical component of the programme would bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and workplace expectations.
He told the trainees, “Success requires not only technical competence but also professionalism, integrity, teamwork and a strong safety culture.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Radial Circle, the lead training provider, Ranti Omole, said the participants were selected from thousands of applicants drawn from the NCDMB database after a rigorous screening process.
Omole said the objective of the programme was to produce industry-ready professionals capable of making immediate contributions in operational environments.
He said, “We are building competence and skills. By the time you complete this programme, you should be field-ready and able to fit seamlessly into industry operations.”
Stakeholders at the event said the initiative supports the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act and the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap by strengthening the pool of skilled Nigerian professionals required to drive growth in the country’s energy sector.
For years, the world’s swing oil producer has been Saudi Arabia. Need more crude? Riyadh opens the taps. Too much oil? Riyadh closes them. But while everyone has been watching who controls crude production, another swing producer has quietly been taking shape—one that deals in diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline instead of crude oil.
It’s India, and they’re taking charge.
When Middle Eastern refineries were damaged during the Iran/US war, when Russian diesel exports collapsed under the weight of Ukrainian drone strikes, and when Europe found itself scrambling for replacement barrels yet again, Indian refiners did a little carpe diem and began sending more cargoes to whoever was paying the highest premium.
Sounds just like a swing supplier.
India is on track to export about 1.4 million barrels per day of refined products in July, according to Kpler. That’s roughly 50% more than in May and the highest monthly export volume since September. Those barrels aren’t headed to a single destination, either. They’re headed to the highest bidder—i.e., wherever the shortage is.
Two months ago, more than 80% of India’s diesel exports went to Africa. Europe got none. This is because Europe had largely shut the door on fuels refined from Russian crude. Africa, meanwhile, suddenly needed replacement supplies after the Hormuz crisis scrambled Middle Eastern trade flows. Indian cargoes simply changed direction.
Related: TotalEnergies Sees Stronger Q2 Profit as Refining and Oil Trading Surge
Unlike many refining hubs, India doesn’t depend on a single source of crude. Russian oil now accounts for more than half of India’s imports this month, according to Kpler, but refiners also buy from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the United States, West Africa, and Latin America. If one supplier becomes a problem, India buys from somebody else. Indian refineries don’t particularly care where the barrel came from as long as they can make money turning it into something more valuable.
And right now, refined products are certainly valuable, because the real tightness in today’s oil market is with refined products.
For starters, Russia’s refining system has been hammered for months by Ukrainian drone strikes, forcing Moscow to restrict exports of diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel. And several Middle Eastern refineries are still operating below normal rates after months of war. Diesel inventories in Europe remain exceptionally tight. Jet fuel isn’t exactly plentiful, either.
India happens to be one of the few places adding refining capacity instead of losing it.
The International Energy Agency expects India’s refining capacity to grow another 15% by 2030. Investment in refining has climbed by an average of 23% over the past five years.
India imports nearly 90% of its crude oil. For most countries, that sounds like an energy security problem. But India turned it into a business model. Buy crude from whoever is offering the best economics. Turn it into higher-value products. Export those products wherever margins are strongest.
It’s a strategy that looks even smarter when the global fuel market starts breaking apart. The government understands that, too.
This week, New Delhi nearly doubled export duties on diesel and jet fuel while lowering the levy on gasoline exports. If diesel and jet fuel supplies tighten further, the government wants more of those barrels available at home before they leave for overseas buyers.
That’s the balancing act that comes with becoming a refining powerhouse. Export enough to capitalize on global shortages. Keep enough to avoid creating one yourself.
Saudi Arabia still decides who gets more crude. But India is increasingly deciding who gets more diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline. When the world suddenly needs another cargo of diesel, jet fuel, or gasoline, there’s a good chance that cargo leaves an Indian refinery. And as refining capacity keeps growing while other regions struggle with aging plants, war damage and underinvestment, India’s role in balancing the global fuel market is likely to grow right alongside it.
By Julianne Geiger
The inability of local refineries to secure enough Nigerian crude oil is threatening the country’s push for energy security and lower fuel costs, and setting off warning bells from manufacturers and business leaders, ARINZE NWAFOR reports
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has expressed concern over the inability of local refineries to access sufficient crude oil from within the country, warning that the situation is forcing Nigerian refiners to compete with international buyers for the nation’s crude and undermining the benefits of domestic refining.
The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, made the remarks while reacting to reports that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery had purchased two cargoes of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates amid persistent domestic supply constraints.
Ajayi-Kadir described the development as evidence that domestic refiners were not getting adequate and reliable supplies of Nigerian crude, saying the situation was detrimental to the country’s industrialisation drive.
“That is obvious. The Dangote refinery’s decision to import crude oil from the United Arab Emirates amplifies the long-standing claims by domestic refiners that they are not receiving an adequate and reliable supply of local.
“The inability of our local refineries to access sufficient feedstock from Nigeria is distressing. For far too long, Nigerian crude refineries have had to compete with international buyers for our own (Nigerian) crude, often at international market prices plus additional logistics costs. This situation is not only economically inefficient, but it also erodes the advantage of local refining, which is to reduce import dependence, conserve foreign exchange, and create value addition within the country”, Ajayi-Kadir said.
The MAN DG urged the Federal Government to overhaul the domestic crude supply framework to ensure Nigerian refineries receive priority access to locally produced crude.
“This situation highlights the urgent need for a more structured and transparent domestic crude oil supply framework that prioritises local refineries. Therefore, MAN calls on the Federal Government, through the NNPCL and the NUPRC, to urgently ensure that a sufficient and consistent share of Nigeria’s crude production is allocated for domestic refining on fair commercial terms, particularly during this period of supply disruptions.
“At the same time, no effort should be spared in intensifying crude production. We should strengthen pipeline security, improve terminal reliability, and implement policies that effectively balance domestic refining needs with export commitments,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s status as one of Africa’s largest crude oil producers should translate into stronger domestic value addition rather than dependence on imported feedstock.
“It is very concerning that a country as richly endowed with crude oil as Nigeria still finds itself in a situation where domestic refineries have to source crude from abroad to sustain their operations. Ultimately, the measure of success is not how much crude Nigeria produces, but how much value the country creates from that crude through domestic refining and how it speaks to our energy self-sufficiency. That is where the true economic benefits of our oil wealth lie,” Ajayi-Kadir added.
However, Ajayi-Kadir affirmed that sourcing crude from the UAE should be seen as a commercial decision rather than a diplomatic milestone.
“It could contribute positively to the broader commercial relationship between Nigeria and the UAE, but it should primarily be viewed as a commercial transaction rather than a diplomatic milestone. Refineries source crude based on technical specifications, availability, pricing, logistics and commercial terms,” he said.
Stakeholders push reforms to sustain Nigeria’s economic gains
According to MAN’s DG, while refiners should retain the flexibility to source crude oil internationally, Nigeria should prioritise strengthening its domestic supply to lower production costs, conserve foreign exchange, and improve energy security.
“Our priority should therefore be to strengthen the domestic crude supply framework, ensuring that local refiners have reliable and sufficient access to Nigerian crude. We therefore reiterate the call on the Federal Government and the relevant agencies to urgently reform the crude oil allocation to ensure that local refineries receive priority access to a commercially viable portion of Nigeria’s crude production,” Ajayi-Kadir said.
It was earlier reported that the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Leye Kupoluyi, described Dangote refinery’s decision to import crude from the UAE as a commercial rather than patriotic decision.
Kupoluyi said the refinery was expected to source crude based on pricing, quality, availability and commercial considerations.
“It’s very straightforward. It’s a business. When you are running your business, you always look at opportunities. Opportunity drives business. We should look at how much the UAE suppliers are selling to Dangote. If the refinery has seen a better deal somewhere, we cannot say because of patriotism it must buy from Nigeria,” Kupoluyi said.
He added that refiners should remain free to source crude from any market provided such transactions align with Nigeria’s national interest, noting that the government should protect national interest while allowing businesses to make commercially sound decisions.
Report said the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, described Dangote refinery’s crude imports from the UAE as a business decision driven by domestic supply constraints rather than diplomacy.
“This is a business decision, and the Dangote refinery is very big. The NNPC cannot meet Dangote’s demands in terms of crude allocation, so it has to source crude from elsewhere that is commercially competitive. If the quality standard is good and the price is good, why not? It is purely a business decision; it is not a diplomatic thing,” Yusuf said.
He added that increased trade could further strengthen Nigeria-UAE economic relations, especially after both countries signed a trade protocol.
Yusuf also said the development highlighted the long-standing challenge of inadequate domestic crude supply to local refiners.
“Local crude has accounted for only about 30 per cent of Dangote Refinery’s feedstock from the beginning because domestic availability is not meeting demand. There are joint venture arrangements, previous forward sales and commercial terms that make it necessary to buy elsewhere. If the terms offered locally are not favourable, the refinery has to source crude abroad.
“It should be part of the business model of any refinery to source crude locally or internationally. There are countries with some of the world’s biggest refineries that do not produce crude at all. What matters is that the economics make sense. This is business, not politics or diplomacy”, Yusuf said
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