Nigeria’s Fuel Imports Hit 2.3 Billion Litres Despite New Refineries

Nigeria’s fuel importation has surged to 2.3 billion litres between September 11 and December 5, 2024, despite the commencement of operations at the Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries.

The development comes as a surprise, given earlier commitments by oil marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reduce fuel imports.

Documents from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) reveal that the country has continued to rely on imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), even as domestic production ramps up.

The Dangote Refinery, which has a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, began producing and trucking out PMS on September 15, 2024. The Port Harcourt Refinery, which resumed operations on November 26, 2024, has also been contributing to local fuel production.

However, data from the NPA indicates that fuel imports have persisted despite the increased capacity at these refineries. In the past three days alone, over 52,000 metric tonnes of petrol were brought into the country, equating to approximately 68.74 million litres.

These products arrived in three separate vessels and berthed at major ports in Lagos and Calabar.

For example, the vessel Binta Saleh arrived at Apapa Port on December 3, 2024, carrying 15.86 million litres of petrol. Another ship, Shamal, brought in 26.44 million litres at the Tin Can Port on December 4, 2024. A third vessel, Watson, is set to deliver an additional 26.44 million litres at the Calabar Port on December 5, 2024.

The continued importation of fuel has raised concerns about the efficiency of Nigeria’s refineries, despite an agreement between the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Dangote Refinery for direct petrol sales. On October 11, 2024, the Federal Government announced that marketers could lift petrol directly from Dangote Refinery, effectively ending the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s monopoly on fuel distribution.