In March 2026, Nigeria’s petrol supply rose to 40.1 million litres per day, an increase from 39.5 million litres in February, according to the latest data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. Domestic production accounted for 34.2 million litres per day, while imports contributed 5.9 million litres. This rise in imported volumes indicates a recovery, even though a limited number of licenses were issued during this period.
The Dangote Refinery reported an output of 48.2 million litres per day in March, achieving a capacity utilization rate of 93.62 percent. However, its contribution to domestic supply experienced a decline for the third consecutive month, decreasing to 34.2 million litres per day from 36 million litres in February and 40.1 million litres in January. Notably, petrol imports nearly doubled month-on-month, increasing to 5.9 million litres per day from 3 million litres in February. This surge suggests a cautious return of importers to the market, aimed at addressing supply gaps.
On the demand side, petrol consumption significantly decreased to 47.3 million litres per day in March, down from 56.9 million litres in February. This decline, combined with the increase in supply, indicates reduced market pressure during the period. Average pump prices varied across regions, standing at ₦1,249.01 per litre in Lagos, ₦1,286.81 in Abuja, and ₦1,280.43 in Enugu. Despite the improved supply, a gap persisted between total supply and consumption, with demand exceeding availability by 7.2 million litres per day. This shortfall could potentially strain inventories and downstream distribution networks.
When compared to March 2025, the average daily petrol supply saw a sharp decline, falling to 40.1 million litres from 51.6 million litres, a decrease of 11.5 million litres or approximately 22.3 percent. However, on a month-on-month basis, supply demonstrated a modest recovery, bolstered by higher import volumes. These figures highlight the ongoing importance of imports in stabilizing supply, especially during periods of fluctuating domestic production and shifting demand patterns.
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