The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has disclosed that Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption has reached an estimated 50 million liters, reflecting a shift in the country’s petroleum usage patterns.
According to reports, Ogbugo Ukoha, the Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, shared this information while addressing journalists after a crucial stakeholder meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ukoha provided insights into fuel availability, distribution, and total national consumption. He reassured Nigerians that strategic measures were being implemented to ensure consistent fuel supply and prevent any potential shortages. He further highlighted that before the fuel subsidy removal, Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption was considerably higher, averaging around 66 million liters per day. However, the subsidy removal has contributed to a decline in daily fuel consumption, stabilizing it at approximately 50 million liters.
His words: “All of us have witnessed a yuletide season free from fuel scarcity. Let me reconfirm that over the past years, from 2021 to 2023, we observed a progressive increase in the daily supply and demand of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Prior to the current administration’s tenure, the daily PMS supply was often in excess of 60 million liters, averaging about 66 million liters per day.
“Following the policy decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, we immediately noticed a significant drop in fuel consumption across the country. Since that time, and up until the present moment, we have continued to record an average daily consumption of approximately 50 million liters. This represents a considerable reduction in national fuel usage.
“Of these 50 million liters, domestic refineries contribute less than 50 percent of the total supply. Consequently, the shortfall is managed through fuel imports, in compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“It is important to note that none of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) that operate refineries within Nigeria have imported PMS so far this year. Instead, the importation of the shortfall has been undertaken by other OMCs. If the regulatory authority had not acted to bridge this supply gap, the country would be facing severe fuel scarcity. That is why the NMDPRA remains committed to ensuring the continuous and sufficient supply of petroleum products nationwide.
“For clarity, the contribution of domestic refineries to the nation’s total PMS sufficiency currently stands at less than 50 percent. Between January and February 2025, this trend has persisted, making imports necessary to meet national demand.
“Every registered OMC has the legal right to apply for an importation permit from the regulatory authority. When such applications are submitted, we carefully review them and grant the necessary permits to authorized marketers to bridge the supply gap.”
This announcement comes amid growing concerns about fuel pricing, distribution, and the impact of subsidy removal on both consumers and businesses. The NMDPRA’s reassurances aim to alleviate fears of fuel shortages while ensuring a stable and efficiently managed petroleum supply chain across Nigeria.