NNPCL’s Continued Petrol Imports Raise Concerns Amid Refinery Overhaul and Dangote Dispute

The recent revelation that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) imported over 213 million litres of petrol between February 1 and February 12, 2025, despite the operational restart of local refineries, has sparked widespread debate among industry experts and policymakers.

Confidential data obtained from shipping reports indicate that NNPCL received multiple cargoes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) within a short period, raising questions about the effectiveness of the ongoing refinery rehabilitation efforts. The report showed that on February 10 alone, the company imported 99.2 million litres of petrol, further fueling concerns over the necessity of such large-scale importation.

The continued reliance on fuel imports contradicts expectations that Nigeria’s refining capacity, bolstered by the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries’ rehabilitation and Dangote Refinery’s production, would reduce dependency on foreign fuel. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing legal tussle between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL, alongside major oil marketers, over the importation of refined products already available domestically.

Beyond petrol, NNPCL also brought in 40,000 metric tons of diesel in February, equating to over 40 million litres, while other key players in the oil and gas sector, such as Rainoil and WOSBAB, continued their own importation activities.

The Cost of Continued Importation

Data reveals that Nigeria spent approximately ₦407.4 billion on importing 302.7 million litres of petrol and 104.8 million litres of diesel in just 12 days. This spending pattern follows a larger trend, with over ₦5.5 trillion used to import petroleum products between October 2024 and January 2025.

Energy analysts point out that the persistence of fuel imports contradicts the ECOWAS directive mandating cleaner fuels from January 2025. Nigeria, despite its leadership role in the regional bloc, has been importing petroleum products that exceed permissible sulphur limits, leading to concerns over environmental hazards.

Regulatory Silence and Accountability Questions

Experts argue that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has failed to enforce ECOWAS regulations, allowing the continued importation of substandard fuel. One industry expert described the situation as an embarrassment to Nigeria’s leadership in West Africa, questioning why a country with growing refining capacity would still rely on imports.

Additionally, government officials have raised concerns about NNPCL’s expenditure, particularly its decision to import over 136.7 million litres of petrol in a single day, despite Nigeria’s estimated daily consumption being 30 million litres.

“NNPCL claims to have reactivated two refineries, yet it continues large-scale importation. It is time for an independent investigation into how these decisions align with national economic policies,” a senior government official stated.

The official called on President Bola Tinubu and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, to reassess NNPCL’s fuel import strategy, arguing that it contradicts efforts to boost local refining and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign petroleum.

Where Does Nigeria Go From Here?

Nigeria’s four national refineries—Kaduna, Warri, and the two Port Harcourt plants—have been undergoing rehabilitation for years, with billions of dollars committed to their refurbishment. The Warri Refinery’s $897 million rehabilitation project, alongside the phased activation of the Port Harcourt refinery, was expected to mark a turning point in Nigeria’s quest for fuel independence.

However, the persistent importation of refined petroleum suggests that either these refineries are not fully functional or that structural inefficiencies continue to plague the sector. The Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, was also anticipated to alleviate import reliance, yet the legal dispute between its management and NNPCL raises further questions about vested interests within the fuel market.

With Nigeria facing economic challenges and rising fuel import costs, policymakers must address whether NNPCL’s import strategy aligns with national interests. If local refining capacity is operational, why is large-scale importation continuing? And if local refineries are not yet viable, what has been achieved with the vast sums allocated to their rehabilitation?

Until these questions are answered, Nigeria’s petroleum sector remains stuck in a paradox—pursuing self-sufficiency in refining while continuing to depend on foreign fuel.

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