Nigeria recorded a dramatic drop in petrol import spending during the first quarter of 2026, signaling a major shift in the country’s energy supply chain as local refining capacity continues to expand.
Reflecting a drop of over 96 percent, The News Chronicle reports that the country’s gasoline import bill dropped to N87.4 billion in Q1 2026 from N2.27 trillion recorded in the same period of 2025. The sharp fall underscores Nigeria’s growing reliance on domestically produced gasoline, with the Dangote Refinery’s rising output helping reshape the market.
The National Bureau of Statistics said that while petrol was once among Nigeria’s biggest imports, it now constitutes just a small portion of total imports. During the time, the product also fell out of the top ten imported goods for the nation.
The growth coincides with an ongoing increase in domestic fuel output. Official statistics show that local refineries provided more than 3.1 billion liters of gasoline in the first quarter, far more than the amount noted a year earlier. Local distillation goods thus now provide more than three-quarters of Nigeria’s gasoline.
Industry observers say the trend reflects the impact of investments in domestic refining, helping reduce pressure on foreign exchange demand while improving energy security. The shift is also expected to strengthen Nigeria’s trade position if current production levels are sustained.
