By Atoyebi Nike
Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption slipped to 52.9 million litres in November 2025, according to new figures from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. The number fell from 56.74 million litres recorded in October, signalling a shift in demand across the country.
Local refineries supplied 19.5 million litres daily, up from 17.08 million litres in October. The Dangote Refinery drove this rise with an average output of 23.52 million litres a day as it continued to scale up operations. The regulator noted that the refinery still operates below its planned 35-million-litre capacity but remains critical to cutting reliance on imports.
Public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna contributed nothing during the period. Each facility stayed shut due to rehabilitation works or unresolved technical faults.
Imports rose sharply to 52.1 million litres daily more than double October’s 27.6 million litres. The regulator linked the surge to shortages in September and October, end-of-year stock buildup, NNPC’s inventory push, and the delayed discharge of 12 cargoes expected the previous month.
October 2025 remained the year’s peak consumption month, followed by November 2024 and April 2025.
Diesel, aviation fuel and cooking gas also recorded steady demand in November 15.4 million litres of diesel daily, 2.5 million litres of aviation fuel, and nearly 4,000 metric tonnes of cooking gas.
The regulator said the verified data highlights a sector in transition, with stronger domestic production, improved safety measures and efforts to stabilize supply.
Earlier in the month, the Dangote Refinery announced readiness to fully cover national petrol demand from December 2025, pledging 1.5 billion litres monthly and an increase to 1.7 billion litres from February 2026.
