Nigeria's petrol consumption drops to 56.9m litres/day

Thursday, March, 12 2026 - Nigeria’s average daily consumption of petrol fell to 56.9 million litres per day in February 2026, according to new data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The figures show consumption declined from 60.2 million litres per day recorded in January, indicating a drop in demand across the country’s fuel market.

Supply from the Dangote Refinery also decreased during the same period, falling to 36.5 million litres per day in February, compared with 40.1 million litres per day in January.

Overall domestic petrol supply dropped sharply to 39.6 million litres per day in February, down from 64.9 million litres per day the previous month, suggesting significant shifts in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum supply structure as local refining capacity continues to evolve. Nigeria’s state-owned refineries contributed no petrol production during the month as rehabilitation projects continued across the facilities.

The Port Harcourt Refinery remained shut, although diesel that had previously been produced was still being evacuated at an average rate of 0.392 million litres per day. Similarly, the Kaduna Refinery was also closed, but existing diesel stocks were released into the market at about 0.027 million litres per day.

The Warri Refinery likewise recorded zero petrol production during the period. The report highlighted the growing contribution of modular refineries to diesel supply in the country.

The WalterSmith Refinery operated at 59.66 percent capacity utilisation, producing around 0.112 million litres of diesel daily. The Edo Refinery and Petrochemicals Company recorded 81.66 percent capacity utilization, supplying approximately 0.085 million litres of diesel per day.

Meanwhile, the Aradel Refinery operated at 34.47 percent capacity utilisation, producing about 0.171 million litres of diesel daily. Two other modular facilities, OPAC Refinery and Duport Refinery, remained inactive throughout the month.

Despite the drop in petrol supply and consumption, diesel availability improved. Supply of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) increased to 24.4 million litres per day in February, compared with 18.9 million litres per day in January. The rise in diesel supply was supported by output from modular refineries and the continued evacuation of previously refined diesel from some of the country’s state-owned refining facilities.