Fuel imports surged by 207% in June, NMDPRA report

Nigeria's reliance on imported petrol dramatically increased in June 2026, with imports surging by 207 percent, while domestic supply simultaneously dropped by 22 percent. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) reveals a sharp reversal from the trend observed earlier in the year, when domestic refining met the bulk of the country's petrol requirements.

The NMDPRA's June 2026 Fact Sheet indicates that average daily petrol (Premium Motor Spirit - PMS) imports rose from 5.9 million liters in May to 18.1 million liters in June. This represents a substantial daily increase of 12.2 million liters. In stark contrast, domestic PMS receipts fell from 41.5 million liters per day in May to 32.5 million liters per day in June, a decline of 9 million liters or 21.7 percent.

Despite the significant decrease in domestic supply, the overall petrol receipts for the country saw a modest increase of 6.8 percent, rising from 47.4 million liters per day in May to 50.6 million liters per day in June. This rise was primarily driven by the surge in imports, which more than offset the reduction in locally refined fuel. The report noted that total PMS receipts increased by seven percent, fueled by the 207 percent import surge.

This shift in supply composition is notable when compared to January 2026, when domestic PMS supply stood at 40.1 million liters per day, accounting for approximately 61.8 percent of the country's total petrol supply, with imports averaging 24.8 million liters per day. By June, while imports had fallen below January's level, their share of the market had increased significantly relative to domestic production, indicating a greater dependence on foreign sources to meet national demand.

“

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.