Domestic refining cuts Nigeria's petrol imports by 90% in April
Nigeria's petrol imports dropped by 90% in April as domestic refineries operated at near full capacity, the NMDPRA reports. Dangote Refinery achieved 100% output while local refineries supplied 40.7 million litres daily out of 44.4 million total supply. This is down from 40.1 million litres of imports just last month.
The shift marks one of clearest signs Nigeria's downstream market adjusting to post-subsidy era, with domestic refineries stabilizing supply and reducing pressure on foreign exchange. Despite improved local production, pump prices remained elevated nationwide, ranging from ₦1,271.50 in Lagos to ₦1,371.50 in Maiduguri—driven by high international crude prices averaging $120.55 per barrel.
With Nigeria now maintaining 18 days of petrol sufficiency, will this local refining trend finally stabilize fuel prices, or will global crude markets continue to determine what you pay at the pump?