Petrol Imports Surge to 154m Litres Weekly as Marketers Abandon Dangote Refinery
Nigeria’s petrol imports rose dramatically to 154.22 million litres between March 17 and 23, 2025, highlighting marketers’ shift away from sourcing products through Dangote Refinery amid pricing disagreements.
Detailed Context and Data:
According to the latest report by the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), vessels loaded with a combined 115,000 metric tonnes (equivalent to 154.22 million litres) of premium motor spirit (PMS) will dock at Tincan Port, Lekki Deep Seaport, and Calabar Port. In contrast, Dangote Refinery imported approximately 654,766 metric tonnes of crude oil within the same timeframe.
The imported petrol is spread across several vessels, including:
- 20,000 metric tonnes by West African Port Services at Dangote Terminal (March 17).
- Two vessels, each carrying 20,000 metric tonnes at Tincan and Calabar ports respectively (March 17).
- Watson vessel with 20,000 metric tonnes at Ecomarine Terminal, handled by Kach Maritime (March 20).
- Binta Saleh’s vessel with 5,000 metric tonnes at Tincan Port (March 21).
- Peak Shipping vessel with 15,000 metric tonnes at Calabar Port (March 22).
- Another 15,000 metric tonnes at Eco Marine Terminal, Calabar Port (March 23).
Analysis of Market Shift:
This significant uptick in imports coincides with Dangote Refinery’s recent decision to suspend petrol sales in Nigerian Naira due to a stalemate with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The price disparity further justifies the marketers’ shift, as imported petrol landing costs range between N774 and N797 per litre, substantially lower than Dangote’s ex-depot pricing of N815-N825 per litre.
Implications for Stakeholders:
The Petroleum Retailers Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria has clearly indicated its preference for cost-effective alternatives, highlighting potential sustainability issues for Dangote Refinery’s local market strategy. This market shift signals increased reliance on imported petrol, emphasizing vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
Regulatory Perspectives:
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority underscored that operational domestic refineries currently supply less than half of Nigeria’s petrol demand, underscoring an ongoing dependency on imports to address consumption gaps.
Conclusion:
The surge in petrol imports illustrates marketers’ adaptability amid economic challenges and emphasizes the critical need for resolution in domestic refinery operations and pricing mechanisms to stabilize Nigeria’s fuel market.
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