Nigerians consume 1.53bn litres of petrol in April – NMDPRA
Nigeria consumed 1.53 billion litres of petrol in April, as the Dangote Refinery cemented its status as the nation’s primary fuel source. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that daily consumption averaged 51.1 million litres. This volume highlights a significant reliance on a single private entity for energy security. It marks a departure from the decades of total dependence on imports. The shift is practical, yet it places immense weight on one refinery’s shoulders.
The refinery supplied 1.22 billion litres of the total market requirement during the month. This represents 92% of the petrol that entered the Nigerian domestic market in April. Independent marketers imported just 111 million litres to bridge the remaining gap. Daily, the local refinery pumped 40.7 million litres into the country. Importers contributed a mere 3.7 million litres per day. The era of the ship-to-pump model is fading fast.
Production at the facility actually outpaced domestic supply. The refinery produced an average of 53.6 million litres of petrol every day. While it met the bulk of local demand, it also looked toward the global market. It exported 17.1 million litres daily to international buyers. This suggests that the facility is prioritising commercial flexibility over total domestic saturation. It is a business, after all, not a public utility.
Total supply for the month reached 1.33 billion litres. This figure falls slightly short of the 1.53 billion litres consumed. The deficit indicates that the country drew from existing buffer stocks to keep wheels turning. Managing this inventory is a delicate act for the regulator. Any hiccup in the supply chain from Lekki now has immediate national consequences. The margin for error is slimmer than ever before.
The data reveals a stark new reality for independent fuel importers. Their share of the market has shrunk to less than 10%. High costs and the dominance of local production make imports a difficult trade. Most marketers now look to the Lekki axis rather than the high seas for their products. This reduces the pressure on foreign exchange but creates a new domestic monopoly. Regulators must now ensure this transition benefits the man at the pump.
Nigeria has effectively swapped a foreign supply chain for a local one. The logistics of fuel distribution are becoming more centralised and efficient. However, the price of petrol remains a sensitive point for the average citizen. Higher production does not always mean lower prices in a deregulated market. The government still faces the task of managing public expectations. For now, the refinery is the only game in town.