By Stephen Simon
New industry figures have revealed that Dangote Refinery imported about 1.46 billion litres of fuel blending materials within the first five months of 2026, as operations continued to expand at the massive Lagos-based facility.
Data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that the refinery relied on imported gasoline blending components between January and May to support local petrol production.
According to the report, the imported materials were used in the production of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), helping the facility sustain steady output amid strong national fuel demand.
The records indicate that the refinery received large volumes of these blending materials in January, with additional shipments arriving in subsequent months as production activities increased.
Industry analysts note that blending components are commonly imported by refineries to optimise output quality and boost the volume of finished products available for distribution.
The report further suggests that the Dangote Refinery has maintained strong production levels, with daily petrol output among the highest recorded in Nigeria’s refining sector.
The latest figures have renewed discussions about the refinery’s expanding role in Nigeria’s energy market, particularly as the country continues efforts to reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Experts say that while local refining capacity is improving, the continued importation of blending materials reflects ongoing optimisation processes aimed at meeting rising domestic demand.
The development underscores the scale of operations at the multi-billion-dollar facility, which has rapidly become a dominant player in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry.
As Nigeria pushes toward greater fuel self-sufficiency, industry observers believe the refinery will remain central to the country’s long-term energy security strategy and import reduction goals.
