Data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority shows that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals exported 1.66 billion litres of refined petroleum products in April 2026, highlighting Nigeria’s growing role in the international fuel market.
The regulator’s April fact sheet indicates that the exports comprised about 513 million litres of petrol, 534 million litres of diesel, and 615 million litres of aviation fuel during the month.
This translates to an average shipment of roughly 55 million litres per day from the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility located in Lekki, Lagos.
Industry analysts link the rising export volumes to heightened global demand triggered by tensions in the Middle East, particularly concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for crude oil and refined products. Buyers across Europe, Africa and parts of Asia are increasingly turning to alternative supply sources.
According to the NMDPRA, local refineries recorded an average 99.12 per cent capacity utilisation in April, with the Dangote refinery accounting for nearly all active output. The agency noted the plant operated at full capacity for most days in the month.
Crude supply to domestic refineries also improved, rising to 18.37 million barrels in April from 13.11 million barrels in March.
Despite meeting local demand, the refinery sustained strong export activity. Average daily petrol production stood at 53.6 million litres, with 40.7 million litres supplied locally and 17.1 million litres exported each day.
Diesel production averaged 23.6 million litres daily, of which 17.8 million litres went to export markets- more than double the 8 million litres supplied domestically. Aviation fuel exports were particularly significant at 20.5 million litres per day, compared to 2.6 million litres consumed locally.
Nigeria’s domestic fuel consumption remained high in April. Petrol usage averaged 51.1 million litres per day, diesel stood at 17.3 million litres, while aviation fuel consumption averaged 2.5 million litres daily.
The regulator attributed sustained high pump prices partly to global market conditions, with crude oil averaging $120.55 per barrel and gasoline priced at $1,074.97 per metric tonne during the period.
The figures underscore a shift in Nigeria’s fuel trade position, as rising local refining capacity begins to reduce reliance on imports while opening export opportunities.
However, the NMDPRA continues to issue licences for petrol importation, indicating that the transition to full domestic sufficiency is still underway.
