The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reported that the Dangote Refinery and other domestic refineries received only 36‑46 percent of the crude oil allocated for them in the first quarter of 2026.
In a quarterly Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) report released on Tuesday, spokesperson Eniola Akinkuotu said the 28.5 million barrels supplied to local refineries represented just 36‑46 percent of the 61.9 million barrels earmarked for domestic processing during the period.
Month‑by‑month data show a uneven distribution of the allocated volumes. In January, refineries were allotted 22.6 million barrels, while in February the commission allocated 20.5 million barrels. Producers, however, delivered only 19.8 million barrels, falling short of the target by 700,000 barrels. March saw a modest improvement, with deliveries rising to 10.1 million barrels, up from 9.2 million barrels in January and 9.1 million barrels in February.
The NUPRC attributed the shortfall primarily to pricing gaps between oil producers and domestic refiners. “The current framework operates on a ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ basis, which continues to shape transaction outcomes,” the commission said.
Despite the supply constraints, the regulator reaffirmed its commitment to the government’s goal of energy self‑sufficiency. The commission emphasized that closing the price differential and improving alignment between producers and refiners are essential to achieving the required domestic crude supply levels.
The limited uptake of allocated crude highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s refining sector, where under‑utilised capacity has prompted the government to encourage greater local processing of crude oil. The NUPRC’s quarterly report serves as a benchmark for monitoring progress toward the national objective of reducing reliance on imported refined products.
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