Nigeria’s energy appetite reached new heights in the final month of 2025. According to the latest fact sheet from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), daily petrol consumption soared to 63.7 million litres, marking a significant 20.4% increase from November’s 52.9 million litres.
The sharp rise of 10.8 million litres per day highlights the intense demand during the December festive period, supported by a robust domestic supply that hit 74.2 million litres per day.
The Dangote Factor: Production vs. Targets
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has solidified its role as the backbone of Nigeria’s fuel security, though it is still chasing its ambitious goals:
- Supply Spike: Domestic supply from the refinery surged by 64.4%, moving from 19.47 million litres in November to 32.01 million litres per day in December.
- The Gap: Despite the growth, the refinery fell short of its 50 million litres per day domestic supply target for the period.
- Total Market Share: Dangote’s output now accounts for nearly half of the total daily petrol supply in the country.
The Price War: “Competitive” or “Distortion”?
Pricing remains the most debated aspect of the new energy landscape. On December 11, 2025, Dangote Refinery crashed its gate price to ₦699, leading to a retail price of ₦739 per litre at MRS filling stations.
While the Managing Director of the refinery, David Bird, insists that the ₦739 price point is highly competitive, experts are raising eyebrows. Professor Wumi Iledare, a renowned petroleum economist, has labeled the ₦739 price as a “market distortion,” suggesting it may not reflect the true economic realities of the post-subsidy market.
Key Data Highlights
- Daily Consumption: 63.7 million litres (Up 20.4%).
- Total Domestic Supply: 74.2 million litres.
- Dangote Output: 32.01 million litres/day.
- Retail Price: ₦739 per litre (at MRS stations).
