Nigeria’s average daily petrol consumption fell by 25 per cent to 35.7 million litres in July 2026, from 47.4 million litres per day in June, according to the latest monthly report of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The 11.7 million-litre-per-day decline represents a significant contraction in PMS demand within one month, pointing to further changes in Nigeria’s downstream market as consumers and businesses adjust to prevailing fuel costs.
NMDPRA’s data show that July consumption averaged 35.7 million litres daily, compared with 47.4 million litres recorded in June. The reduction translates to a 24.7 per cent month-on-month decline, which rounds to 25 per cent.
The latest figures provide a fresh indication of the pressure on petrol demand, particularly as elevated pump prices have continued to influence motorists, commercial transport operators and businesses that rely heavily on PMS.
For the downstream market, a sustained reduction in consumption could affect the volume of PMS required for domestic supply, with implications for product imports, local refining, depot throughput, trucking activities and retail sales.
The decline also comes against the backdrop of growing domestic refining capacity and changes in Nigeria’s petrol supply structure. Lower demand could alter the volume requirements for both locally refined PMS and imported products, depending on the availability and competitiveness of domestic supply.
For marketers, the consumption trend will be important in assessing inventory requirements and market turnover, particularly as distributors seek to avoid holding excessive volumes in a market experiencing weaker demand.
The July figure therefore represents more than a monthly movement in consumption. It provides another measurable indication of how Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market is responding to higher energy costs and changing consumption patterns.
NMDPRA’s subsequent monthly data will show whether the July contraction represents a temporary decline or the continuation of a broader downward trend in Nigeria’s petrol demand.