Nigeria Receives 164,000MT of Imported Fuel

Nigeria is set to receive 164,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products as eight vessels berth at ports in Lagos, Delta, and Cross River States, according to the Daily Shipping Position.

The cargoes include 82,000MT of diesel (Automotive Gas Oil) and 81,882MT of petrol (Premium Motor Spirit), with discharge operations already underway at some terminals.

At Lagos’ Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, vessels such as HUDSON, ALINDA, PINARELLO, and LESTE delivered a combined 82,000MT of diesel between May 8 and 10.

For petrol, UM BALWA brought 32,000MT to Lagos, AFRICAN MARVEL arrived at Koko Port in Delta with 20,000MT, KINGIS berthed at AYM Shafa terminal with 15,000MT, and SL AREMU docked in Calabar with 14,882MT.

Industry operators say the imports will boost product availability nationwide, though some argue Nigeria should pause imports as the Dangote Refinery ramps up supply.

Despite claims that Dangote now meets over 90% of Nigeria’s daily petrol demand, the NMDPRA recently issued licences to six marketers — NIPCO, AA Rano, Matrix, Shafa, Pinnacle, and Bono — to import 720,000MT of petrol.

An NMDPRA official clarified: “There was never an embargo on importation. Energy security for the nation is paramount. The target has always been to ensure there are no supply gaps.”

The approvals highlight ongoing tensions between regulators and Dangote, who has accused officials of undermining domestic refining by issuing import licences despite full refinery tanks.