Domestic shortfall: NNPC, marketers import 633m litres of fuel

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and other marketers in the downstream oil sector imported more than 633 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) in January 2025 despite the production of these commodities domestically.

The latest industry data on the importation of PMS and AGO by these firms indicated that they brought in over 458 million litres of petrol and 174 million litres of diesel during the less than one-month duration.

Although some dealers said the move was to bridge domestic fuel shortages, others argued that the $20bn Lekki-based Dangote Petroleum Refinery could meet the country’s refined petroleum products demands.

The move indicates a continued reliance on imports, even as the country aims to boost domestic refining capacity and reduce dependency on imported fuel, a factor that has contributed to the devaluation of the naira.

It is also in contrast to earlier public declarations by marketers to prioritise domestic supply following the inauguration of three major refineries.

A document detailing the amount of fuel imported into the country obtained by our correspondent on Thursday showed that the NNPCL brought in the highest volume totalling 158,740 metric tonnes of petrol.

Going by the conversion rate of 1,341 litres to one metric tonne, it, therefore, implies that the oil firm brought in about 212.87 million litres of petrol between January 1 and 29, 2025.

The national oil firm also imported 62,866 MT of diesel into the country within the same period. The amount represents a total of 120.1m litres when converted to litres.

The situation described by oil and gas experts as baffling and shocking, is against the backdrop of the widely publicised operational commencement of the 210,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt refinery and the 125,000 barrels per day Warri refinery by the NNPCL, making a combined capacity of 335,000 barrels per day.

It raises questions about the effectiveness of these facilities in achieving self-sufficiency.

On November 26, 2024, the government announced that petrol production had commenced at the Port Harcourt refinery after a long period of rehabilitation.

During the unveiling of the refinery, NNPC officials conducted stakeholders around the facility where they took samples of petrol, diesel, and kerosene.

It said truck loading began immediately. The Port Harcourt refinery comprises two units, with the old plant having a refining capacity of 60,000 barrels per day and the new plant 150,000bpd, both summing up to 210,000bpd.

Within the space of a month, the NNPCL also announced that the Warri refinery had commenced operation after a long period of inactivity.

“WRPC will focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene, Automotive Gas Oil, and heavy and light Naphtha,” a statement from the presidency stated.

The commencement of refinery operations prompted stakeholders, including oil marketers to commit to halting the importation of petroleum products.

However, the national oil firm in a dramatic twist of events has continued the importation of fuel.

Further analysis of the latest document by our correspondent showed that the company imported the products through nine vessels delivered at the Apapa and Tin Can ports in Lagos State and the Calabar port in Cross Rivers State.

The document stated that the first consignment, which arrived on Friday, January 10, carried 15,000 metric tonnes of petrol, equivalent to 20.12 million litres, and docked at the Calabar port.

Another vessel received by the NNPCL on January 16, 2025, berthed at the Calabar port with a load of 15,000 metric tonnes.

At the Lagos ports, vessels conveying products were received on January 13, 22 and 27 carrying a total of 128,740 metric tonnes, amounting to 172.64m litres.

For diesel, the national oil firm was the recipient of three vessels that berthed  at the Lagos ports on January 9 and 16, carrying a total of 62,866 metric tonnes representing 74.81m litres

Similarly, major marketers such as Bovas, A.A. Rano, Matrix, Raj, and AYM Shafa have continued their importation activities, collectively bringing in a total of 246.02 million litres of petrol and 99.96m of diesel.

Other marketers include Chipet Oil, MenJ, WosbasB, Shorelink, Prudent, Prado.

These marketers landed their products at the Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri ports for onward distribution and delivery to its filling stations.

Matrix was the highest volume importer and brought in 126.89m litres of fuel.

Reacting, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, stated that Port Harcourt is still operating at a skeletal level despite commencing operations two months ago.

He said the refinery is yet to achieve optimal production despite promises by NNPCL officials.

 He said, “There was a time at a meeting where the GCEO of the NNPC, and the NMDPRA met and they said they are not going to patronise imports again. They are going to encourage local refining. But product offtake from the Port Harcourt refinery is still skeletal for now.

“It’s skeletal for now because the chief executive officer of NNPC said that they have not reached the ultimate level which they are trying to reach.

“So once they reach the ultimate level, the product will be readily available. But that will not make them not to be able to source petroleum products from other places to sustain their own outlets.”