Nigerians spent an estimated 1.58 trillion naira (US$1.05 billion) on petrol in December 2025, driven by high holiday travel and sustained commercial activity during the Yuletide season, according to official fuel consumption data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The regulator’s December fact sheet shows that average daily petrol consumption stood at 63.7 million litres throughout the month. With 31 days in December, total nationwide consumption amounted to about 1.97 billion litres.
Applying an average pump price of around 800 naira per litre – the prevailing retail level across major cities during most of the period – total consumer spending on petrol in December is estimated at roughly 1.58 trillion naira.
Fuel consumption remained consistently elevated throughout the month, reflecting increased domestic travel, festive movements and higher levels of economic activity typically associated with the year-end holiday season, analysts said.
Prices remain elevated despite refinery cuts
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The spending estimate comes despite a price reduction announced in December by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which cut its ex-depot petrol price, pushing pump prices down in some locations from about 900 naira per litre to as low as 739 naira.
However, market observations showed that many filling stations continued to sell petrol above 800 naira per litre during the festive period, particularly in northern parts of the country. Lower prices were more commonly observed in Lagos and parts of Ogun state, where competition and proximity to supply sources are stronger.
Since the deregulation of Nigeria’s downstream oil sector in 2023, petrol prices have varied widely across regions, reflecting differences in logistics costs, margins and supply conditions.
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Seasonal surge in demand
December typically records higher fuel consumption than other months, as millions of Nigerians travel for the holidays and businesses increase operations ahead of the year-end. Greater reliance on petrol-powered generators, amid persistent power supply challenges, also contributes to seasonal spikes in fuel usage.
At 63.7 million litres per day, December 2025 recorded the highest average daily petrol consumption since October 2024, according to NMDPRA data.
This compares with an average of 52.3 million litres per day in December 2024, highlighting a sharp year-on-year increase in demand.
Monthly figures show that daily petrol consumption rose to 56.9 million litres in October 2025, fell back to 52.9 million litres in November, and then surged again in December to its highest level of the year.
Imports still dominate supply
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The regulator said the consumption data is based on volumes trucked into the domestic market by both the Dangote refinery and fuel importers.
Nigeria imported about 1.31 billion litres of petrol in December 2025, while the Dangote refinery supplied around 992 million litres over the same period. This marked a significant increase in domestic refining output compared with November, underscoring the refinery’s growing role in fuel supply.
On a daily basis, total petrol supply averaged 74.2 million litres in December. Imports accounted for about 42.2 million litres per day, while domestic refining contributed roughly 32 million litres per day.
The data also show that approximately 10 million litres per day were not trucked out during the month, suggesting stock build-ups at depots or logistical constraints in moving supplies nationwide.
“PMS supply in December 2025 increased due to significant improvement in supply from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery,” the regulator said, noting that daily output rose from 19.5 million litres earlier in the year to about 32 million litres per day in December.
Household burden
The scale of December’s petrol spending highlights the continued financial burden of fuel costs on Nigerian households and businesses, particularly in a fully deregulated market where prices are no longer subsidised by the state.
Petrol remains a critical input for transportation, electricity generation and commerce in Africa’s most populous country, absorbing a significant share of consumer spending even as domestic refining capacity improves.
While increased supply from the Dangote refinery and sustained imports helped stabilise availability during the festive period, analysts say high consumption levels underscore the sensitivity of Nigerian consumers to fuel price movements and supply disruptions.
As domestic refining expands further in 2026, authorities and market participants will be watching closely to see whether increased local production translates into more stable prices and lower fuel expenditure for consumers.
