Petrol imports surge 59.5% despite higher local refining output

Nigeria’s petrol imports rose sharply in May 2026, increasing by 59.5 per cent month-on-month despite stronger production from domestic refineries and growing contributions from private refining facilities led by the Dangote Refinery.
Latest data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that average daily imports of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, climbed to 5.9 million litres per day in May from 3.7 million litres per day recorded in April.
The increase indicates that oil marketers continued to rely on imported products to complement local supplies, even as domestic refineries accounted for the overwhelmi...