Nigeria Still Imports 25 Million Litres of Petrol Daily – FG

The Federal Government has confirmed that Nigeria imports 25 million litres of petrol daily, constituting half of the country’s total consumption, while the remaining supply is met by local refineries. This disclosure was made on Wednesday by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) following a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists, Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, noted that petrol imports remain necessary to prevent shortages. He explained that before the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, Nigeria’s daily petrol supply averaged 66 million litres. However, consumption dropped significantly after the subsidy removal, stabilizing at around 50 million litres per day. He clarified that none of the companies involved in domestic refining are engaged in importation, emphasizing that imports are strictly managed in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

In a related development, the government announced a ban on tankers with a 60,000-litre capacity from transporting petrol and other petroleum products starting March 1, 2025. This decision, despite opposition from truck owners, is aimed at enhancing safety and protecting road infrastructure. The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) had earlier warned that the ban would result in financial losses exceeding N300 billion, as over 2,000 such trucks are currently in operation across the country.

Ukoha attributed the decision to the increasing number of petrol tanker fires caused by high-capacity trucks. He further stated that overloaded tankers contribute significantly to the deterioration of Nigerian roads. The announcement followed a meeting attended by representatives from various regulatory and safety agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and multiple petroleum sector stakeholders.

The NMDPRA also outlined future plans to further reduce permissible tanker capacities. By the fourth quarter of 2025, the transportation of petroleum products using trucks exceeding 45,000 litres will be prohibited. This measure aligns with the government’s broader efforts to ensure safer and more efficient distribution of petroleum products across the country.