In a groundbreaking shift for Nigerias downstream oil sector the Dangote Petroleum Refinery now accounts for approximately 92 percent of the countrys daily petrol supply prompting the Federal Government to pause importation of Premium Motor Spirit PMS. According to the latest data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA for February 2026 local refineries primarily the Dangote facility supplied an average of 36.5 million litres of petrol per day out of a total national supply of about 39.5 million litres per day. This represents a dramatic reduction in imports which dropped to roughly 8 percent or around 3 million litres daily compared to previous months heavy reliance on foreign supplies.
The development underscores the rapid ramp up at the Dangote Refinery Africas largest single train refinery with a nameplate capacity of 650000 barrels per day currently operating at full capacity and capable of scaling higher. Sources within NMDPRA confirmed that domestic production has reached levels sufficient to meet the nations fuel needs eliminating the immediate necessity for imports. This pause in importation reshapes the downstream landscape reduces pressure on foreign exchange reserves and aligns with long term goals of energy security and self reliance under President Bola Tinubus administration.
The refinery which began large scale petrol production in recent years has progressively increased its market share from around 62 percent in January 2026 to the current dominant position. Industry experts view this as a transformative moment ending decades of dependence on imported fuel which often led to supply disruptions subsidy burdens and economic vulnerabilities. Dangote Refinery continues to prioritize domestic supply even amid global crude price volatility influenced by geopolitical tensions such as the US Israel Iran conflicts that have driven oil prices higher. Management has assured uninterrupted availability emphasizing that with sustained access to crude including Nigerian grades the facility will maintain steady output to prevent scarcity.
This milestone also highlights challenges including crude sourcing dynamics where the refinery purchases Nigerian crude at international benchmark prices plus additional costs from freight and insurance. Despite these the focus remains on serving the local market first fostering industrialization job creation and reduced import bills. BuNj Media and Entertainment brings you this update as Nigerias energy sector evolves toward greater independence and sustainability with domestic refining now at the forefront.
