Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery imported about 1.46 billion litres of gasoline blendstock and other intermediate feedstocks between January and May 2026 as it expanded petrol production, according to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
The imports were used to support refining operations at the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility, which has continued to rely on intermediate products despite having access to both domestic and imported crude oil supplies.
NMDPRA data showed monthly imports of 658.31 million litres in January, 306.89 million litres in February, 102.35 million litres in March, 147.37 million litres in April and 240.59 million litres in May. The May figure represented a 63.3 percent increase from April as refinery activity intensified.
Gasoline blendstocks such as reformate, alkylate and naphtha are unfinished petroleum products mixed with other refinery streams and additives to produce finished petrol, also known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). They are not sold directly to motorists.
The refinery recorded strong performance in May, operating at an average capacity utilisation rate of 101.25 percent, above its designed capacity.
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During the month, the facility produced an average of 44.7 million litres of petrol daily, supplying 41.5 million litres to the domestic market and ending the period with 9.4 million litres in stock.
Diesel production averaged 24.5 million litres per day, with 18.2 million litres supplied locally and 6.5 million litres exported. Aviation fuel output stood at 21.9 million litres daily, including 17.5 million litres exported.
The refinery processed 17.92 million barrels of crude oil in May, including 15.84 million barrels from domestic sources and 2.08 million barrels imported. This was below the estimated 20.15 million barrels required for full-capacity operations over a 31-day period.
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Officials said imported blendstocks helped maintain production levels above the refinery’s nameplate capacity, particularly during periods when crude supply was insufficient.
Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna remained shut as of May 2026, leaving Dangote Refinery as the country’s main operational refining facility and a major supplier of locally produced petroleum products.
Energy experts said the use of imported blendstocks is common in global refining operations because it allows plants to improve fuel quality, maximise output and maintain flexibility when crude supplies fluctuate.
Dayo Ayoade, an energy professor at the University of Lagos, said importing intermediate feedstocks was a standard industry practice but warned that it also carries economic risks.
“Importing feedstock means foreign exchange is leaving the country and exposes the refinery to international market risks,” he said.
He stressed that blendstocks should not be confused with imported finished petrol, noting that the materials are intermediate inputs used during the refining process.
