Nigeria’s petroleum supply landscape experienced a dramatic shift in June 2026 as the country recorded a sharp resurgence in petrol imports, signalling a significant change in the balance between domestic refining and imported fuel. According to the latest figures released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the volume of imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, increased by an unprecedented 207 per cent within a single month, while domestic supply witnessed a notable decline.
The development represents a major reversal from the encouraging trend recorded earlier in the year when local refining, driven largely by increased output from domestic refineries, had significantly reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel. The June 2026 Fact Sheet published by the NMDPRA paints a complex picture of a downstream petroleum sector still navigating the transition from import dependency to a more balanced supply structure.
Data contained in the report shows that average daily petrol imports rose sharply from 5.9 million litres in May to 18.1 million litres in June. This remarkable increase of 12.2 million litres per day translates to a 206.8 per cent month-on-month growth, making it one of the most significant jumps in fuel importation recorded in recent times.
While imports surged, domestic petrol supply moved in the opposite direction. Daily domestic PMS receipts fell from 41.5 million litres in May to 32.5 million litres in June, representing a decline of approximately 9 million litres per day or 21.7 per cent. Despite this setback, Nigeria’s overall petrol supply still improved, rising from 47.4 million litres per day in May to 50.6 million litres in June. The increase was made possible entirely by the massive rise in imported fuel, which compensated for the shortfall in local production.
According to the NMDPRA, total petrol receipts increased by about seven per cent during the review period because imports expanded substantially while domestic supply weakened. The authority explained that domestic receipts include products evacuated through refinery gantries as well as coastal supply channels, while consumption figures are based on the quantity of products transported into the local market.
The June figures stand in stark contrast to the situation that existed at the beginning of 2026. In January, Nigeria appeared to be making meaningful progress towards self-sufficiency in petrol supply. Domestic refineries were supplying an average of 40.1 million litres of petrol daily, accounting for nearly 62 per cent of national supply, while imports averaged 24.8 million litres per day. As the months progressed, imports declined significantly, dropping to just 3 million litres daily in February before gradually increasing to 5.9 million litres by March and remaining relatively low through May.
However, the sharp increase recorded in June demonstrates how quickly the market can revert to imported products whenever domestic supply weakens. Although June’s import volume remained lower than January’s 24.8 million litres per day, the sudden spike compared with May illustrates the continued vulnerability of Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
A closer examination of the figures reveals that domestic petrol receipts in June were 7.6 million litres per day lower than the January level, representing a decline of about 19 per cent. Conversely, June’s import volume remained approximately 27 per cent below the quantity imported in January. Nevertheless, the composition of supply changed considerably, with imported fuel once again playing a much larger role in sustaining the domestic market.
Interestingly, the increased reliance on imported petrol occurred despite improved crude oil deliveries to domestic refineries. The NMDPRA reported that crude oil receipts by local refineries rose from 578,000 barrels per day in May to 632,000 barrels per day in June, representing an increase of approximately 9.3 per cent. Although the regulator rounded this figure to 10 per cent in its official report, the increase did not immediately translate into higher domestic petrol production.
Industry observers suggest several factors may explain this disconnect. Refinery maintenance schedules, operational adjustments, changes in product yield, logistical bottlenecks, evacuation challenges and product allocation strategies may all have contributed to the decline in domestic PMS receipts despite increased crude supply. The figures underscore the reality that higher crude availability alone does not automatically result in greater petrol output for the local market.
Meanwhile, petrol consumption in Nigeria increased only marginally during the period under review. Daily PMS consumption rose from 46.3 million litres in May to 47.4 million litres in June, an increase of just 2.4 per cent. This modest rise in consumption was significantly smaller than the extraordinary increase in imports, resulting in improved fuel stock levels across the country.
The report indicates that PMS stock sufficiency improved from 16.2 days in May to 19.7 days in June, representing an increase of 3.5 days or 21.6 per cent. This means Nigeria entered July with almost 20 days of petrol reserves, providing a stronger buffer against potential supply disruptions and market volatility.
For DDM News, the latest figures highlight the delicate balance that still exists between local refining capacity and imported fuel. Although Nigeria has made measurable progress in boosting domestic refining through investments in modern facilities, the June statistics demonstrate that imports remain an essential component of the nation’s fuel security whenever domestic production declines unexpectedly.
The report also captured developments across other petroleum products. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly referred to as cooking gas, recorded an even more dramatic increase in imports. Total LPG receipts increased from 4.1 kilotonnes per day in May to 5.1 kilotonnes in June. However, while domestic LPG supply declined by 10 per cent, imports skyrocketed from just 0.1 kilotonnes per day to 1.5 kilotonnes daily, representing an astonishing 1,400 per cent increase. Despite the surge in supply, LPG consumption actually declined by 8.9 per cent during the month, suggesting that inventories were replenished.
Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, experienced a different trend. Daily diesel supply fell by nearly 14 per cent from 18.8 million litres to 16.2 million litres. Notably, Nigeria recorded no diesel imports in either May or June, meaning the entire supply originated from domestic production. Consumption remained steady at 16 million litres daily, while diesel stock sufficiency surprisingly improved from 31 days to 37.1 days due to existing inventories.
The aviation sector also witnessed reduced fuel availability. Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) receipts dropped from 3.6 million litres per day in May to 2.5 million litres in June, representing a decline of over 30 per cent. Consumption also fell slightly, although the reduction in demand was considerably smaller than the decline in supply.
In the gas sector, however, there was modest improvement. Domestic gas supply increased from 4.984 billion standard cubic feet per day in May to 5.116 billion standard cubic feet daily in June. According to the NMDPRA, the figures include supplies delivered to Nigeria LNG Limited and reflect the Federal Government's ongoing efforts to increase gas availability for electricity generation, industrial activities and domestic consumption.
The overall January-to-June trend presents a mixed but revealing picture of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry. On one hand, total petrol supply improved, fuel stock levels increased, refinery crude supply rose and gas availability strengthened. On the other hand, domestic petrol production declined sharply, forcing a significant increase in imports to bridge the supply gap.
For consumers, the implication remains clear. Nigeria's fuel supply system continues to depend on a combination of domestic refining and imported petroleum products. While the long-term objective remains to achieve greater self-sufficiency through expanded local refining capacity, the June figures demonstrate that imports will continue to serve as an important stabilising mechanism whenever domestic production falls below national demand.
As DDM News observes, the latest NMDPRA report reinforces the importance of strengthening refinery efficiency, improving evacuation infrastructure and sustaining investments across the downstream petroleum sector. Only through consistent improvements in local refining performance can Nigeria reduce its vulnerability to fluctuations in imported fuel and build a more resilient energy supply system capable of meeting the country's growing demand.