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The Dangote refinery has become Nigeria's biggest supplier of Premium Motor Spirit, meeting nearly 62 percent of the country's petrol needs in January 2026.
The milestone marks a decisive shift in Nigeria downstream petroleum sector, long dominated by imported fuel. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority show that domestic refining volumes, led almost entirely by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, exceeded imports for the first time in more than a year.
According to the regulator State of the Downstream Sector report, total average daily petrol supply in January stood at 64.9 million litres. Of that figure, domestic refineries supplied 40.1 million litres per day, while imports by Oil Marketing Companies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited accounted for 24.8 million litres.
The bulk of domestic supply came from the Dangote refinery, currently the only large scale petrol producing facility in operation. The regulator attributed the surge to improved output from the refinery, which raised its contribution from 32 million litres per day in December 2025 to 40.1 million litres in January.
The increase represents a 25 percent month on month rise, underscoring the ramp up in operations at the Lagos based facility. Managing Director David Bird has said the refinery now has the capacity to supply more than 50 million litres of petrol daily.
Throughout most of 2025, imports filled a substantial portion of Nigeria fuel gap. In the first few months of the year, the total daily supply was between 43.7 million liters in January and 57.1 million liters in May. During that time, domestic refineries made between 18 million and 25 million liters of oil every day, therefore imports had to fill in the gaps.
In November 2025, the regulator dataset showed that the most imports came in at 52.1 million liters per day. At the time, Dangote refinery supplied just 19.5 million litres daily.
Tensions rose during that period, with Aliko Dangote publicly criticising regulatory decisions that allowed continued import licences even as his refinery storage tanks were reportedly full.
By December 2025, the refinery influence began to reshape the supply mix. Domestic output went raised to 32 million liters a day, bringing the total supply to 74.2 million liters. Imports went down a little bit.
The data from January 2026 suggest that something has changed in the way things are set up. Imports now only account up 38 percent of the total supply, which indicates that Nigeria doesn't need as many refined goods from other countries.
The shift has an influence on the economy. Nigeria used to import almost all of its gasoline until the Dangote plant started making it in September 2024.Reduced imports could translate into substantial foreign exchange savings and lower exposure to global price swings.
Industry representatives say local refining capacity could expand further if feedstock supply improves. The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria says that Nigerian refineries, like Dangote, could supply the country's fuel needs without having to import it, as long as crude oil is always available.
During that time, domestic refineries produced between 18 million and 25 million liters per day, therefore imports had to make up the difference.
The greatest level of imports reported in the regulator dataset was 52.1 million liters per day in November 2025.
Domestic production rose to 32 million liters per day, bringing the overall supply to 74.2 million liters, while imports fell somewhat.
The numbers from January 2026 show that there has been a structural change. Imports now make up only 38 percent of the overall supply, which means that Nigeria depends less on refined products from other countries.
The change has effects on the economy. Before the Dangote refinery started making petrol in September 2024, Nigeria imported almost all of it. Less imports could mean big savings in foreign exchange and less risk of global price changes.
The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria says that Nigerian refineries, like Dangote, could supply the country's fuel needs without having to import it, as long as crude oil is always available.
The Dangote refinery is the largest single train facility in the world, with a nominal capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Its rising control over Nigeria's petroleum market represents a turning point in the country's long search for energy independence.
