Despite the launch of petrol production by two major refineries in Nigeria, oil marketers have continued to import petrol. Between September 11 and December 5, 2024, marketers imported 2.3 billion litres of petrol, contradicting earlier promises to stop imports.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) have ramped up production, but the local supply remains insufficient to meet demand.
As a result, the Federal Government allowed oil marketers to negotiate directly with the Dangote refinery. While some marketers temporarily suspended imports, fresh data shows that significant volumes of petrol are still being brought into the country.
Recent imports include 52,000 metric tonnes of petrol over three days, delivered through ports in Lagos and Calabar. This ongoing importation raises concerns about the success of efforts to reduce fuel imports in Nigeria, despite the expansion of local refining capacity.
