Nigeria’s average daily consumption of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, declined to 56.9 million litres per day in February 2026, down from 60.2 million litres per day recorded in January.
The figures were disclosed in new data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The data also showed a drop in petrol supply from the Dangote Refinery during the same period.
The data highlights ongoing shifts in Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply dynamics as local refining capacity gradually evolves.
Despite the presence of the massive Dangote Refinery, Nigeria’s state-owned refineries remained largely inactive during the period under review, contributing little to petrol production.
What the data is saying
The NMDPRA data shows a decline in both petrol consumption and supply in February compared with January, alongside mixed trends in other refined products.
Nigeria’s average petrol consumption dropped to 56.9 million litres per day in February from 60.2 million litres per day in January.
- Petrol supply from the Dangote Refinery declined to 36.5 million litres per day in February from 40.1 million litres per day recorded in January.
- Overall domestic petrol supply stood at 39.6 million litres per day in February, a sharp decline from 64.9 million litres per day in January.
- The data suggests shifting supply patterns in Nigeria’s downstream sector as domestic refining capacity continues to develop.
The report also revealed that Nigeria’s three state-owned refineries recorded no petrol production during the month as rehabilitation works continued.
- The Port Harcourt Refinery remained shut, although previously produced diesel was still being evacuated at an average of 0.392 million litres per day.
- The Kaduna Refinery also remained shut, with diesel stocks being released to the market at about 0.027 million litres per day.
- The Warri Refinery likewise recorded zero petrol production during the period.
The continued inactivity of the refineries underscores the country’s ongoing dependence on private refining capacity and imports.
More Insights
The NMDPRA report further highlighted the role of modular refineries in supporting diesel supply within the country.
- WalterSmith Refinery operated at 59.66 percent capacity utilisation, supplying 0.112 million litres of diesel per day.
- Edo Refinery and Petrochemicals Company recorded 81.66 percent capacity utilisation, with 0.085 million litres of diesel supplied daily.
- Aradel Refinery operated at 34.47 percent capacity utilisation, supplying 0.171 million litres of diesel per day.
- Two other modular refineries — OPAC Refinery and Duport Refinery — remained shut during the month.
These facilities continue to contribute modest volumes of diesel to the domestic market.
The latest NMDPRA data also showed that domestic diesel supply increased significantly during the period, even as petrol supply declined.
- Diesel (AGO) supply rose to 24.4 million litres per day in February, up from 18.9 million litres per day recorded in January.
The increase was supported by modular refinery output and the evacuation of previously refined diesel from some state-owned facilities.
What you should know
Nairametrics previously reported that Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply received a major boost in January 2026 as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery delivered an average of 40.1 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) per day.
Nairametrics reports that Dangote Refinery has said it aims to refine 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has become Nigeria’s single most important domestic source of PMS, as government-owned refineries remain offline.
