Nigeria’s petrol market recorded a significant surge in supply in November 2025, with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) availability increasing to 71.5 million litres per day from 46 million litres in October a 55 per cent jump. The rise came from a combination of domestic output and strategic imports, aimed at boosting stock levels and ensuring adequate supply during the peak festive season.
Supply Growth Driven by Imports and Inventory Build
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) revealed in its November 2025 report that the increase stemmed primarily from imports by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), which sought to guarantee supply during high-demand periods. Domestic refineries contributed 17.1 million litres per day, but state-owned facilities in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna remained shut down, with no production recorded.
The agency noted that low supply in September and October, coupled with vessels programmed to discharge in October but spilling into November, prompted a surge in imports. Consequently, average daily consumption rose to 52.1 million litres, up from 28.9 million litres in October, leaving a comfortable surplus of 37.4 million litres for national distribution.
Gas Supply Strengthens Energy Security
On the gas front, average daily supply climbed to 4.684 billion standard cubic feet (bscf/d) from 3.94 bscf/d in October, driven by higher plant utilisation and steady export volumes. The Nigeria LNG Trains 1-6 maintained a stable processing output of 3.5 bscf/d, with utilisation rising slightly to 73.7 per cent.
Other gas facilities also improved output:
- Gbaran Ubie Gas Plant: 1.25 bscf/d at 71.21% utilisation
- MPNU Bonny River Terminal: 0.69 bscf/d
- Escravos Gas Plant: 0.68 bscf/d at 62% utilisation
- Soku Gas Plant: 0.6 bscf/d at 96.84% utilisation
Gas supply to the power sector edged up to 0.645 bscf/d, while the commercial hubs recorded 0.581 bscf/d. Export volumes remained strong, with Nigeria LNG shipping an average of 45,966 metric tonnes per day, complemented by 0.121 bscf/d via the West African Gas Pipeline.
Strengthened Supply, Persistent Refining Gap
November’s data indicates that strategic imports and improved gas output bolstered Nigeria’s downstream energy security. However, the reliance on imports underscores the continuing gap in domestic refining capacity, highlighting the need for operational reforms at state refineries and optimisation of private facilities.
As consumption pressures mount during the festive season, policy consistency and refinery rehabilitation remain crucial to sustaining supply stability, reducing import dependence, and securing energy for industrial, commercial, and residential users.