Nigeria has reverted to being a net importer of petrol in May after imports surged to their highest level in four months, highlighting the country's continued dependence on foreign fuel supplies despite the presence of Dangote Refinery.
According to Argus media, new market data showed that petrol deliveries into Nigeria averaged 57,000 barrels per day in May, while exports stood at 23,000 barrels per day. The development reversed the country's net export position recorded in March and April, when local supply exceeded imports.
Industry data indicated that the increase in imports was largely driven by maintenance activities at the 700,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery in Lekki. The refinery's Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracker (RFCC), a critical unit responsible for gasoline production, underwent maintenance during the month, affecting output and creating the need for additional fuel imports.
The temporary reduction in local production prompted marketers and refiners to source more petrol from Europe, which supplied Nigeria's entire import requirement in May. Norway emerged as the largest supplier, followed by Italy and France.
Data also showed that both the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Dangote Refinery participated in fuel imports during the period. NNPC imported approximately 11,000 barrels per day, while Dangote accounted for 27,000 barrels per day. The figures underline the unusual situation in which the refinery remained both the country's largest producer and one of its biggest importers of petrol.
The increase in imports came after the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority approved substantial import allocations for the second quarter of the year. Several independent marketers, including AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Matrix, NIPCO and Pinnacle, received permits to import petroleum products to support domestic supply.
Despite the maintenance-related disruption, refinery operations continued, with significant volumes of blending materials and feedstock delivered to the Lekki facility. Industry sources said the refinery imported naphtha, condensate and other gasoline blending components to sustain production and optimise output during the maintenance period.
The latest development highlights the challenges facing Nigeria's transition from a fuel-importing nation to a self-sufficient refining hub. Although the Dangote Refinery has significantly reduced the country's reliance on imported petrol since commencing operations, maintenance schedules and operational adjustments can still create temporary supply gaps that require imports to bridge.
Market analysts, however, believe the setback may be short-lived. Dangote Industries recently confirmed that the refinery's nameplate capacity has been increased to 700,000 barrels per day from 650,000 barrels per day, a move expected to strengthen gasoline production capacity once all processing units return to full operation.
Industry projections also suggest that Nigeria's refining outlook could improve significantly over the next few years. Plans to expand the Lekki refinery's capacity to about 1.45 million barrels per day could transform Nigeria into a consistent net exporter of petrol, reducing import dependence and strengthening the country's position in regional fuel markets.
For now, however, May's import figures serve as a reminder that while Nigeria's refining landscape is changing, the journey towards complete fuel self-sufficiency remains a work in progress.