By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s oil marketers say petrol imports into the country are set to end, as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery ramps up production to meet domestic demand.
Industry operators say output from the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility, Africa’s largest refinery, is now sufficient to supply the local market, marking a potential turning point for Africa’s biggest oil producer, which has long relied on imported refined fuel despite its crude oil wealth.
Speaking on the development, oil marketers said the refinery’s growing capacity has significantly reduced the need for foreign petrol shipments, easing pressure on foreign exchange and cutting import-related costs.
The development follows months of gradual scale-up at the Lagos-based refinery, owned by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote. The facility began supplying petroleum products to the Nigerian market after years of delays, technical challenges and regulatory hurdles.
Analysts say the shift could have far-reaching economic implications, including improved fuel availability, price stability and reduced exposure to global supply disruptions. Nigeria has historically spent billions of dollars annually importing petrol due to inadequate local refining capacity.
While marketers remain optimistic, some industry stakeholders caution that sustained operations, efficient distribution and supportive government policies will be critical to maintaining full self-sufficiency in the long term.
If sustained, the end of petrol imports would represent a landmark moment in Nigeria’s energy sector and a major step towards refining independence.
