Nigeria’s crude oil imports from the United States surged in the first eight months of 2025, jumping 101 per cent, according to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The country brought in 31.69 million barrels between February and August 2025, up from 15.79 million barrels in the same period in 2024 — an increase of 15.9 million barrels. The sharp rise highlights shifting sourcing patterns amid supply pressures and efforts to stabilise domestic fuel production.

EIA data shows no imports were recorded in January for either year. Month-by-month figures indicate broad increases across most of the review period.

Imports dipped in February to 3.11 million barrels, below the 3.61 million barrels logged in 2024 — a decline of 13.8 per cent, or about 500,000 barrels. Volumes then climbed significantly in March, hitting 5.25 million barrels compared with 3.42 million barrels in the same month last year.

In July, imports inched up to 4.17 million barrels from 4.10 million barrels a year earlier — an increase of 73,000 barrels, or 1.8 per cent. The August 2025 figure, also 4.17 million barrels, had no year-earlier comparison because the EIA did not release data for August 2024.

The rising inflow of U.S. crude underscores Nigeria’s continued dependence on foreign supply amid inconsistent domestic production and a gradual transition in local refining. With national output still below target and refinery operations ramping up, U.S. light sweet grades remain a key option for meeting immediate feedstock needs.

The volatility in earlier months, followed by a sharp surge, suggests the Dangote Refinery’s crude intake is entering a steady ramp-up phase, with U.S. light sweet crude preferred for its compatibility with complex refining processes. Yet the increasing reliance on imported barrels highlights Nigeria’s longstanding paradox: Africa’s biggest oil producer and an OPEC member still exports crude but imports refined products due to the collapse of state-owned refineries.

Although the Dangote Refinery was expected to shift this dynamic by prioritising domestic crude, the latest data shows it is still leaning on foreign supply to optimise operations.

The more than 100 per cent year-on-year increase, paired with the rapid month-on-month growth in 2025, points to a structural shift in Nigeria’s crude import pattern. According to the Federal Government, 67.66 million barrels of crude were supplied to local refiners for processing between January and August 2025.

This figure, confirmed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, highlights the ongoing challenges in bridging the crude allocation gap faced by indigenous refineries, despite Nigeria’s rising production levels.

The commission explained that crude allocations were issued in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation framework.

It added, through its Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, that the supplied barrels were delivered to both modular and state-owned refineries, including Waltersmith, Aradel Energy, and facilities operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

“A total of 67,657,559 barrels were delivered to local refiners between January and August this year. All refiners got that amount within the eight-month period,” Akinkuotu noted in a statement.

However, the volume supplied fell far below what refiners demanded. Local processors requested 123,480,500 barrels for the first half of 2025 but received only 67,657,559 barrels — a shortfall of 55,822,941 barrels, or roughly 45 per cent less than needed to meet their refining targets.

Earlier in the year, the NUPRC estimated that refineries including Port Harcourt, Warri, Dangote, and others would require about 770,500 barrels per day. That translates to 23.8 million barrels per month, or approximately 123.4 million barrels for the first six months of 2025.
[11/16, 2:13 PM] Mel: CPPE calls for restoration of 15% petrol, diesel import duty

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise has urged the Federal Government to immediately restore the suspended 15 per cent fuel import duty, warning that its removal poses serious risks to Nigeria’s refining industry and long-term energy security.

In a statement issued on Sunday, CPPE CEO Dr. Muda Yusuf said the suspension has skewed the market in favour of imported fuel, leaving local refineries — including the Dangote Refinery and emerging modular plants — at a major competitive disadvantage and weakening investor confidence.

The CPPE said, “Reinstatement is essential to restoring competitive balance and safeguarding domestic refining investments.”

The group added, “Protecting domestic refining capacity is an urgent national imperative. Reinstating protective measures, supporting local refiners, ensuring policy predictability, and regulating import volumes are essential steps toward securing Nigeria’s industrial future.

“The Dangote Refinery and emerging modular refineries are transformative national assets. Safeguarding them aligns squarely with Nigeria’s long-term economic and strategic goals.”

Last week, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) suspended the proposed 15% ad-valorem import duty on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), widely known as petrol and diesel.

The regulator announced the decision in a statement that also assured Nigerians of adequate nationwide fuel supply, despite rising demand during the current peak season.

“It should be noted that the implementation of the 15% ad-valorem import duty on imported Premium Motor Spirit and Diesel is no longer in view,” the regulator said.

On October 21, President Bola Tinubu approved a 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on diesel and petrol.

The directive was communicated in a letter issued by Damilotun Aderemi, the President’s Private Secretary, to the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.