Nigeria spent about ₦8.96 trillion importing petrol in 2025, highlighting the country’s continued dependence on foreign refined fuel despite growing domestic refining capacity.
Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, remained one of the most imported commodities into the country throughout the year.
Although the figure represents a 41.9 percent decline from the ₦15.42 trillion recorded in 2024, it is still about 19.3 percent higher than the ₦7.51 trillion spent in 2023, the year the federal government removed fuel subsidy under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the statistics agency, Nigeria consumed 18.97 billion litres of petrol in 2025, with 11.85 billion litres—about 62.47 percent—supplied through imports. Domestic refineries contributed 7.54 billion litres, representing 37.53 percent of total supply.
The continued importation comes despite the commencement and gradual ramp-up of production at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and ongoing rehabilitation of state-owned refineries.
Quarterly data showed fluctuations in import spending. Nigeria spent ₦1.76 trillion in the first quarter, which increased to ₦2.38 trillion in the second quarter. The figure then dropped to ₦1.29 trillion in the third quarter, before surging sharply to ₦3.54 trillion in the fourth quarter, the highest quarterly expenditure for the year.
Further analysis showed that petrol imports were sourced from several countries including the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Brazil, and Togo, demonstrating the global nature of Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
Energy experts warn that continued reliance on fuel imports poses risks to energy security and foreign exchange stability. Analysts say Nigeria must address structural issues such as crude supply constraints, logistics challenges, and refinery efficiency to reduce its dependence on imported fuel.
Despite being Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria still imports the majority of its refined petroleum products—a paradox that continues to shape the country’s oil and gas sector
