Nigeria’s petrol consumption rises to 51.1 million litres daily in April

Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption increased sharply in April 2026, rising to 51.1 million litres per day from 47.3 million litres recorded in March.

This is according to the latest industry data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The latest figures highlight growing demand for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, as Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity continues to improve and dependence on imported fuel declines.

Data contained in the NMDPRA April 2026 Factsheet also showed that domestic petrol supply rose significantly during the period, supported largely by increased output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

What the regulator is saying 

The NMDPRA disclosed that overall domestic petrol supply increased to 40.7 million litres per day in April, compared to 34.2 million litres per day recorded in March.

• Dangote Refinery produced 53.6 million litres of petrol daily in April, supplying 40.7 million litres per day to the domestic market while exporting 17.1 million litres daily.
• Imported petroleum products contributed only 3.7 million litres per day to domestic supply in April, down from 5.9 million litres per day recorded in March.
• Dangote Refinery operated at an average capacity utilisation rate of 99.12 percent during the month and achieved 100 percent utilisation on most operating days.
• Crude oil supplied to domestic refineries declined to 0.612 million barrels per day in April from 0.674 million barrels per day recorded in March.

The report further showed that state-owned refineries under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) remained inactive during the review period, with both Warri and Kaduna refineries recording zero production despite ongoing rehabilitation efforts.

More insights 

The latest data underscores the growing role of private refining in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, particularly following the operational expansion of the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery.

• WalterSmith Refinery operated at 56.14 percent capacity utilisation in April.
• Edo Refinery and Petrochemicals Company posted 79.2 percent capacity utilisation during the month.
• Aradel Refinery operated at 39.5 percent capacity utilisation.
• Combined, the three modular refineries supplied an average of 0.559 million litres of refined products per day in April 2026.

The NMDPRA noted that despite rising refining activity, crude oil supply to domestic refineries declined during the period, raising concerns over feedstock availability and the effectiveness of Nigeria’s domestic crude supply framework.

What you should know 

Nairametrics earlier reported that Nigeria’s oil production rebounded strongly in April 2026, with the country recording a combined daily average output of 1.663 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and condensates.

Earlier, NUPRC reported that Nigeria supplied 28.5 million barrels of crude oil to domestic refineries in the first quarter of 2026, falling significantly short of the 61.9 million barrels allocated for the period.

In late March, Nairametrics reported that Nigeria recorded a crude oil and condensate production shortfall of about 16.6 million barrels in the first two months of 2026.

Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption increased sharply in April 2026, rising to 51.1 million litres per day from 47.3 million litres recorded in March.

This is according to the latest industry data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The latest figures highlight growing demand for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, as Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity continues to improve and dependence on imported fuel declines.

Data contained in the NMDPRA April 2026 Factsheet also showed that domestic petrol supply rose significantly during the period, supported largely by increased output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

What the regulator is saying 

The NMDPRA disclosed that overall domestic petrol supply increased to 40.7 million litres per day in April, compared to 34.2 million litres per day recorded in March.

• Dangote Refinery produced 53.6 million litres of petrol daily in April, supplying 40.7 million litres per day to the domestic market while exporting 17.1 million litres daily.
• Imported petroleum products contributed only 3.7 million litres per day to domestic supply in April, down from 5.9 million litres per day recorded in March.
• Dangote Refinery operated at an average capacity utilisation rate of 99.12 percent during the month and achieved 100 percent utilisation on most operating days.
• Crude oil supplied to domestic refineries declined to 0.612 million barrels per day in April from 0.674 million barrels per day recorded in March.

The report further showed that state-owned refineries under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) remained inactive during the review period, with both Warri and Kaduna refineries recording zero production despite ongoing rehabilitation efforts.

More insights 

The latest data underscores the growing role of private refining in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, particularly following the operational expansion of the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery.

• WalterSmith Refinery operated at 56.14 percent capacity utilisation in April.
• Edo Refinery and Petrochemicals Company posted 79.2 percent capacity utilisation during the month.
• Aradel Refinery operated at 39.5 percent capacity utilisation.
• Combined, the three modular refineries supplied an average of 0.559 million litres of refined products per day in April 2026.

The NMDPRA noted that despite rising refining activity, crude oil supply to domestic refineries declined during the period, raising concerns over feedstock availability and the effectiveness of Nigeria’s domestic crude supply framework.

What you should know 

Nairametrics earlier reported that Nigeria’s oil production rebounded strongly in April 2026, with the country recording a combined daily average output of 1.663 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and condensates.

Earlier, NUPRC reported that Nigeria supplied 28.5 million barrels of crude oil to domestic refineries in the first quarter of 2026, falling significantly short of the 61.9 million barrels allocated for the period.

In late March, Nairametrics reported that Nigeria recorded a crude oil and condensate production shortfall of about 16.6 million barrels in the first two months of 2026.