ABUJA — Domestic refining capacity has recorded a structural leap forward as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery accounted for 71 percent of Nigeria’s total Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) supply in August 2026, significantly eclipsing imported fuel volumes.
According to the latest industry operations report released on Thursday, September 24, 2026, by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the mega-refinery achieved average daily domestic PMS receipts of 35.87 million litres throughout August. In contrast, total petrol imports by registered oil marketing companies stood at 14.6 million litres per day over the same monthly period.
The performance figures underscore a rapid structural transformation within the nation’s downstream energy landscape. For decades dependent on foreign refiners for over 90 percent of its domestic motor fuel consumption, Nigeria’s market balance has flipped sharply in favor of local production, driven primarily by the ramp-up of operations at the 650,000-barrel-per-day Lekki facility.
The NMDPRA disclosure comes amidst heightened regulatory engagement and legal friction over downstream import allocations. While the Federal Government recently authorized 830,000 metric tonnes of petrol imports for the fourth quarter of 2026 to ensure market buffers ahead of the festive season, Dangote Refinery leadership continues to challenge the ongoing issuance of import permits, maintaining that domestic output is fully sufficient to meet national demand.
Energy sector analysts note that the dominant market share captured by local refining is already exerting downward pressure on wholesale prices. On September 21, Dangote Refinery adjusted its gantry price downward to ₦1,325 per litre—undercutting imported fuel parity costs by roughly ₦40 per litre—forcing major depot operators across Lagos, Warri, and Port Harcourt to follow suit.
