Fresh data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) reveals that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported a record-breaking 1.66 billion litres of refined petroleum products in April 2026.
This massive outflow, averaging approximately 55.4 million litres daily, marks the first time the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility in Lekki has achieved such high export volumes.
The surge includes 513 million litres of petrol (PMS), 534 million litres of diesel (AGO), and a dominant 615 million litres of aviation fuel, signaling Nigeria’s decisive shift from a chronic importer to a burgeoning energy export hub.
The refinery’s performance comes at a critical juncture for global energy security, as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran threaten to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz.
With traditional Middle Eastern supply routes facing uncertainty, international demand for Nigerian refined products has spiked.
Industry experts note that Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia are increasingly looking toward the Dangote plant as a stable alternative. This geopolitical shift has allowed Nigeria to become a net exporter of petrol for the first time in decades, following a strong production trend that began earlier this year.
Operational data from the NMDPRA’s April fact sheet shows the refinery maintained near-perfect efficiency, operating at 100% capacity utilization for the majority of the month.
To sustain this momentum, domestic refineries received 18.37 million barrels of crude oil in April, a significant jump from the 13.11 million barrels recorded in March.
Despite the heavy focus on international markets—particularly for diesel and jet fuel, where export volumes more than doubled domestic supply—the refinery continued to meet substantial local obligations, producing an average of 53.6 million litres of petrol daily.
The impact on the aviation sector has been particularly pronounced. While domestic airlines recently voiced concerns over rising costs, the refinery’s export of 20.5 million litres of jet fuel per day underscores its growing influence on the global stage.
However, the transition has not yet translated into lower costs for local consumers. The NMDPRA reported that while Nigerians consumed 51.1 million litres of petrol daily in April, pump prices remained elevated due to high international crude costs, which averaged $120.55 per barrel during the period.
Looking ahead, the Dangote Refinery is expected to remain the cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy security and a vital source of foreign exchange.
As global trade patterns continue to shift in response to Middle Eastern instability, the facility’s ability to balance domestic needs with international demand will be closely watched.
While the NMDPRA continues to issue import licenses to ensure steady supply, the April data confirms that the era of Nigeria’s total dependence on foreign fuel has effectively come to an end.
