Amid growing concerns from local refiners over limited crude supply, Nigeria exported a staggering 82 per cent of its crude oil in the first quarter of 2025, according to a new report from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The report, published by The PUNCH, reveals that only 18 per cent of crude oil lifted during the period was allocated to domestic refineries, despite the country housing some of Africa’s largest and most advanced refining facilities.
On average, 1.57 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil were lifted between January and March 2025. Of this, 1.29 million bpd were exported, while just 280,000 bpd were supplied to local refineries, the data shows.
This revelation comes as refineries, including the 650,000 bpd-capacity Dangote Petroleum Refinery and various modular refineries, continue to cry out over crude shortages, limiting their ability to meet national fuel demands. The situation is further complicated by the underutilisation of state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, which are undergoing various stages of rehabilitation.
Industry players have raised concerns that without a consistent and adequate feedstock supply, domestic refining efforts may remain stunted, prolonging Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel — a paradox for Africa’s top oil producer.
The NUPRC’s report underscores a critical policy challenge for the Federal Government, which is under pressure to balance export earnings with energy security and local content development. Stakeholders argue that prioritising local refining could improve fuel availability, reduce import bills, and create jobs.
The call for a more refined crude allocation framework has intensified, with experts urging authorities to ensure that strategic assets like Dangote Refinery and modular plants receive adequate supply to operate optimally.
