NNPC and Partners Imported 1.56 Billion Litres of Petrol in November – Report

Daftar Isi

Resumption of Large-Scale Petrol Imports in Nigeria

Nigeria has witnessed a significant shift in its fuel importation strategy, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) resuming large-scale petrol imports just a year after announcing it had stopped bringing refined petroleum products into the country. This development marks a notable change in the nation’s energy supply dynamics.

According to recent data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), NNPC imported the majority of Nigeria’s petrol needs in November. The figures show that importers supplied 1.563 billion litres of petrol during the month, which equates to 52.1 million litres per day. This represents an impressive 89% increase compared to the 828 million litres imported in October, signaling a sharp rebound in fuel supply following a period of below-threshold availability.

The surge in petrol supply helped push the total national PMS (Petrol Motor Spirit) supply to a record 71.5 million litres per day. However, despite this increase, actual national petrol consumption fell slightly to 52.9 million litres per day in November, down from 56.74 million litres per day in October. This decline in demand coincided with efforts to rebuild inventory levels ahead of the festive season.

Factors Behind the Import Surge

The NMDPRA attributed the sharp rise in petrol supply to several market factors. The authority noted that national supply in September and October had fallen well below the country’s demand threshold, necessitating a more aggressive stock build-up ahead of the end-of-year festivities when consumption typically spikes.

To stabilize the market, NNPC ramped up its importation efforts in November. While specific import tonnages were not disclosed, the regulator confirmed that NNPC acted as the “supplier of last resort” by importing fuel to replenish inland stock and ensure uninterrupted supply during the peak demand period. Additionally, 12 vessels originally scheduled for discharge in October were shifted to November, contributing to the increased volumes reported for the month.

The domestic supply figures included in the report are based on actual import and discharge volumes, as well as refinery truck-outs, reflecting only the quantities that reached the market. The NMDPRA emphasized that these measures were taken to address the shortfall in supply and prepare for the seasonal demand spike.

Local Refining Capacity Remains Limited

Despite the increase in imports, local refining capacity remained limited. For consecutive months, the three state-owned refineries—Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna—remained shut down, contributing zero litres of petrol to the national pool. The Port Harcourt Refinery, in particular, was completely offline throughout November, with no fresh production recorded. However, the facility continued to evacuate leftover diesel produced before its shutdown in May 2025, averaging 0.349 million litres per day.

In contrast, the Dangote Refinery showed some improvement in diesel production, with an average domestic evacuation of 5.596 million litres per day in November. However, its petrol output remained below the national target, averaging 23.52 million litres per day, leaving a supply gap of over 11 million litres daily.

Product Sufficiency Levels

The fact sheet also provided insights into product sufficiency levels. Petrol supply stood at 17 days in November, slightly lower than October’s 18 days, while diesel sufficiency rose to 35 days from 32 days in the previous month. Jet A-1 stock remained stable at 15 days, and LPG sufficiency held at eight days, unchanged from the prior month. Low pour fuel oil increased to 51 days, up from 48 days in October, indicating improved availability of heavier fuel products.

The November import surge was deliberate, aimed at building buffer stock for the Yuletide travel season, which is historically Nigeria’s peak period for petrol consumption. The NMDPRA issued one new refinery establishment licence and one construction licence, while Waltersmith’s 5,000bpd Train-2 entered the commissioning phase, signaling gradual progress in the domestic refining sector.

Ongoing Challenges and Calls for Stability

Despite these developments, Nigeria continues to rely heavily on petrol imports, nearly two years after removing fuel subsidies. Prolonged shutdowns at key refineries have left the domestic supply chain dependent on the Dangote Refinery and NNPC cargo imports.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged regulators and oil companies to prioritize uninterrupted and affordable supply of petroleum products. Chinedu Ukadike, IPMAN’s Publicity Secretary, highlighted the need for clarity and stability in the downstream sector, noting the contradictions between official data and private sector reports.

He emphasized that the focus of marketers should be on ensuring availability and affordability for consumers. “We are interested in ensuring these products get to the final consumers at the cheapest rate,” he said. He also warned against actions that could trigger unnecessary inflation in the economy, stressing the importance of maintaining price stability.