Nigeria is turning back to petrol imports as domestic supply fell 21 percent in July, highlighting renewed pressure on local refining to meet the country’s fuel needs even as Dangote Refinery remained the sole domestic supplier.
According to the ‘State of the midstream and downstream sector factsheet’ report for July 2026, released by the Nigerian Midstream, Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the total supply of petrol in the period, dropped to 45.5 million litres per day (ml/d) from 50.6 million litres per day recorded in June.
Of the total 45.5 ml/d recorded in the month, domestic supplies which stood at 25.8ml/d with Dangote refinery being the sole supplier. This volume represents a 21 percent decline from 32.5 m/d recorded in previous month, while the volume of petrol imported in the month stood at 19.7 ml/d from 18.1 ml/d in June.
Also, the daily consumption for the month of July dropped to 35.7 ml/d from 47.4 ml/d recorded in June.
The pump price of petrol was highest in Maiduguri as a litre was sold for N1,400, while Lagos state recorded the least pump price at N1, 131/ litre.
