The Dangote Petroleum Refinery supplied 40.1 million litres of petrol per day in January 2026. This amount represented 62 percent of Nigeria’s total daily petrol supply of 64.9 million litres. Importers provided the remaining 24.8 million litres per day. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority released these figures in its monthly report.
Surge from Previous Months
Dangote increased its output by 25 percent from December 2025, when it delivered 32 million litres daily. This marked the first time domestic production exceeded imports in 13 months, from January 2025 to January 2026. Earlier, imports peaked at 52.1 million litres per day in November 2025, while total supply hit 74.2 million litres in December 2025.
Accusations and Capacity
ClaimsAliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, accused Farouk Ahmed, former chief executive of the NMDPRA, of economic sabotage.
Dangote stated that Ahmed issued “reckless” licences despite full refinery tanks. Additionally David Bird, managing director and chief executive officer of the Dangote refinery, announced the facility’s capacity to supply over 50 million litres daily.
Broader Impacts
The shift reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imports, which once covered 100 percent of petrol needs before Dangote began production in September 2024. Eche Idoko, publicity secretary of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, explained that local refineries could meet all demand.
Future Outlook
Domestic refiners aimed to surpass 2025 import levels in 2026. The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery solidified its role in achieving fuel self-sufficiency.
