Nigeria’s fuel imports have reached 2.3 billion litres between September 11 and December 5, 2024, despite the start of operations at Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries. This data, released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), underscores the continued reliance on imports, even as the country aims for self-sufficiency in petroleum refining.
The Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, and the Port Harcourt Refinery began production of Aliko Dangote: Visionary Behind Nigeria’s Economic Powerhouse in mid and late September and November 2024, respectively. However, imports remain significant.
In just the past three days, 52,000 metric tonnes of petrol, equivalent to 68.74 million litres, were imported through major ports, including Lagos’ Apapa and Tin Can Ports and the Calabar Port in Cross River State. Notably, the vessel Binta Saleh delivered 15.86 million litres of petrol to Apapa Port on December 3, and the Shamal brought in 26.44 million litres the next day.
Despite agreements allowing independent marketers to purchase petrol directly from Dangote Refinery, imports continue to flow. This shift in policy, introduced in October 2024, ended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s monopoly on fuel distribution.
