The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has returned to large-scale importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, barely one year after announcing that it had stopped importing the product into the country. Latest data obtained by The PUNCH indicate that the national oil company supplied the bulk of Nigeria’s petrol requirements in November, marking a significant shift in the downstream supply landscape.
Figures released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) show that petrol importation rose sharply in November 2025, with NNPC and other marketers bringing in a combined 1.563 billion litres of PMS. This is contained in the regulator’s newly released November 2025 Fact Sheet, titled State of the Midstream and Downstream Sector, which was made public on Wednesday.
The document forms part of a new monthly reporting framework introduced by the NMDPRA to deepen transparency, track trends in fuel supply, and provide real-time visibility into the performance of local refineries, petrol consumption patterns, and import dependencies. The framework is expected to enhance accountability within the sector, especially at a time when fuel supply challenges have been a subject of national concern.
According to the fact sheet, the country imported 52.1 million litres of petrol per day in November, bringing total monthly import volumes to 1.563 billion litres. This represents a major rebound in supply after weeks of tight market conditions and reduced import activity experienced in preceding months.
The November data reflect a dramatic 89 per cent increase when compared to the 828 million litres imported in October, underscoring how rapidly the country’s downstream supply position shifted within a 30-day period. Operators say the surge is linked to efforts to restore national stock levels, address rising demand, and stabilise the fuel distribution chain following repeated concerns over low reserve buffers.
Industry analysts note that the return of NNPC to large-scale importation is significant, given the company’s earlier declaration in 2024 that it had ceased importing PMS following the expected commencement of domestic refining activities. That announcement had been widely interpreted as a signal that Nigeria was transitioning away from heavy reliance on petrol imports, especially with the anticipated contributions from the Dangote Refinery and the rehabilitation of government-owned refineries.
However, the latest figures show that the national oil company continues to play a central role in meeting domestic fuel demand. The NMDPRA report did not specify the proportion of November supplies directly attributable to NNPC, but industry insiders say the company accounted for the majority of the imports due to financing capacity and established supply contracts.
The sharp rise in petrol importation is also likely tied to increased domestic consumption, which typically peaks towards the end of the year due to heightened travel and commercial activities. The regulator’s monthly report now provides a clearer picture of consumption dynamics, enabling better planning for supply, import scheduling, and emergency stock injections.
One of the key objectives of the NMDPRA’s new transparency framework is to improve public trust by publishing verified supply figures, depot stock positions, pricing updates, and refinery operations. The regulator says it intends to sustain the monthly reporting model to ensure stakeholders have continuous access to accurate and timely data.
While the resumption of large-scale petrol importation helps avert shortages, it also raises questions about the pace of Nigeria’s transition toward local refining and energy independence. Economists argue that sustained reliance on imported PMS continues to expose the country to forex pressures, fluctuating crude prices, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
As the nation digests the latest data, attention will turn to whether upcoming refinery outputs—particularly from the Kaduna, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Dangote plants—will meaningfully reduce import needs in the coming months, or whether NNPC will remain the primary supplier for the foreseeable future.
