Nigeria’s domestic petrol supply dropped sharply in June despite increased crude oil deliveries to local refineries, underscoring the continued reliance on fuel imports to meet local demand.
The latest June 2026 Fact Sheet released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that local Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) receipts declined by 21.7 per cent month-on-month, even as crude oil supply to domestic refineries rose by 9.3 per cent.
According to the report, domestic PMS receipts fell from 41.5 million litres per day in May to 32.5 million litres per day in June, representing a decline of nine million litres daily.
Conversely, crude oil receipts by domestic refineries increased from 0.578 million barrels per day in May to 0.632 million barrels per day in June, an increase of 0.054 million barrels per day.
The figures indicate that higher crude deliveries did not immediately translate into increased petrol supply, reflecting possible operational constraints, maintenance activities, product yield adjustments or evacuation challenges at local refineries.
The NMDPRA noted that while domestic supply weakened, the country compensated with a significant increase in fuel imports.
Average daily PMS imports rose from 5.9 million litres in May to 18.1 million litres in June, representing a 207 per cent increase.
The surge in imports lifted total PMS receipts from 47.4 million litres per day in May to 50.6 million litres per day in June, despite the decline in local supply.
The authority stated, “Total PMS receipts rose by seven per cent from 47.4 million litres per day in May to 50.6 million litres in June, driven by a 207 per cent surge in imports to 18.1 million litres, even as domestic supply fell by 22 per cent to 32.5 million litres per day.”
It explained that domestic daily receipts comprise volumes from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery gantry and all coastal evacuation receipts, while consumption figures are based on products trucked from depots into the domestic market.
The June figures marked a reversal from the trend recorded earlier in the year, when domestic refining accounted for the bulk of Nigeria’s petrol supply.
Although crude supply to refineries improved during the month, the decline in local PMS receipts suggests that increased crude allocation alone may not be sufficient to guarantee higher domestic fuel availability.
Industry analysts say refinery operations, maintenance schedules, product slate optimisation and logistics could all influence the volume of petrol ultimately supplied to the domestic market.
Meanwhile, average daily PMS consumption rose slightly from 46.3 million litres in May to 47.4 million litres in June, representing a 2.4 per cent increase.
The increase in imports also boosted the country’s fuel stock position, with PMS stock sufficiency improving from 16.2 days in May to 19.7 days in June.
Beyond petrol, the NMDPRA data showed that crude supply supported modest gains in other segments of the downstream sector.
Domestic gas supply rose from 4.984 billion standard cubic feet per day in May to 5.116 billion standard cubic feet per day in June, while diesel supply declined by 13.8 per cent.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), however, recorded a sharp increase in imports, with imported volumes rising by 1,400 per cent to offset weaker domestic supply.
The June figures underscore the challenges facing Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market as the country continues its transition towards greater reliance on domestic refining while still depending on imports to bridge supply shortfalls.
(The Whistler)
