NIGERIA’S RELIANCE ON LOCAL CRUDE RISES AS IMPORTS DROP IN APRIL
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Nigeria recorded a sharp decline in crude oil imports for domestic refining in April 2026, as local crude supply continued to dominate refinery operations across the country.
According to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), domestic refineries received 18.37 million barrels of crude in April, with 17.96 million barrels sourced locally while only 410,000 barrels were imported.
The report showed a major reduction in import dependence compared to previous months, reflecting growing confidence in Nigeria’s local crude supply chain and refining capacity.
Dangote Refinery accounted for the largest share of crude supplied during the month and operated at over 99 per cent capacity, producing millions of litres of petrol, diesel and jet fuel daily for both local consumption and export.
The NMDPRA said the improved local supply arrangement and strong refinery performance have continued to strengthen Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency while reducing reliance on imported fuel products.