Petrol imports into Nigeria declined by 42.2 per cent in January 2026, falling to an average of 24.8 million litres per day from 42.8 million litres per day in December 2025, according to a report by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The report, released over the weekend, indicated that petrol supplied by the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery to the domestic market increased by 25.3 per cent to 40.1 million litres per day in January 2026, up from 32 million litres in December 2025.

Total daily petrol supply in the country stood at 64.9 million litres in January 2026, marking a 12.5 per cent decline from the 74.2 million litres supplied in December 2025.

The country achieved 33 days of petrol sufficiency during January 2026.

“Days of sufficiency stock boosted by 13 per cent between December 2025 and January 2026 due to improved supply performance by DPRP,” the report added.

The regulator maintained the daily consumption benchmark at 50 million litres, but actual consumption, based on truck-out data, averaged 60.2 million litres per day for petrol.

Daily truck-out volumes stood at 19.2 million litres for Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), 3.5 million litres for aviation fuel, and 4,860 metric tonnes for LPG.

The Dangote Refinery operated at 61.27 per cent capacity in January 2026.

The three Federal Government-owned refineries managed by NNPC Limited remained shut down during the period.

Meanwhile, Winters-mith Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited has commenced crude oil test runs on the second phase of its refinery in Imo State.

This development raises expectations of improved domestic petroleum product supply in the coming months.

The refinery currently operates with an installed capacity of 5,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Commissioned in November 2020, it produces Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), naphtha, and heavy fuel oil for the domestic market.

Phase Two of the project, designed to significantly expand output, has been undergoing pre-commissioning activities since late 2025.

When completed, the expansion is expected to raise total refining capacity to about 50,000 bpd.

In its latest report, NMDPRA confirmed that the facility has begun introducing crude oil into its processing units as part of the commissioning process.

The regulator stated that “introduction of hydrocarbon commenced,” indicating that the plant has moved beyond mechanical completion into live operational testing.

Industry analysts say the development signals progress in Nigeria’s modular refinery segment, which is seen as critical to reducing dependence on imported petroleum products, boosting local value addition, and strengthening energy security.

If successfully completed, the Phase Two expansion would significantly increase local refining volumes, support supply of diesel and other products to industrial users, and contribute to easing pressure on foreign exchange spent on fuel imports.

The expansion aligns with ongoing Federal Government efforts to deepen domestic refining capacity and improve efficiency across the midstream and downstream value chain.

Speaking on the state of the downstream and midstream sectors, the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Engr. Saidu Mohammed, said Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector “is witnessing an irreversible renaissance, driven by bold reforms, investment, and regulatory clarity.”

He noted that under the Petroleum Industry Act, Nigeria’s downstream market is now fully liberalised and “no longer defined by scarcity and supply uncertainty,” with pricing increasingly determined by market fundamentals.

On domestic refining, he described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a major game changer and attributed ongoing economic reforms to a reduction in import-related fiscal losses of over N6 trillion.

Engr. Mohammed assured stakeholders that the current dispensation would deliver a regulator that is fair, firm and decisive in overseeing the midstream and downstream sectors.

He emphasised that regulation remains central to sustainable growth, stating that “regulation must enable value, not inhibit it,” and concluded that “confidence is the true currency of any market.”