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Nigeria recorded a significant decline in petrol supply and consumption in July 2026, while fuel stock levels improved and diesel availability strengthened, according to the latest monthly Factsheet of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The report showed that daily Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) receipts fell by 10 per cent during the month, while actual PMS consumption declined by 25 per cent compared with June.
The development came amid lower crude oil receipts by domestic refineries and increased reliance on imported petrol.
Petrol receipts fall
According to the NMDPRA, PMS receipts declined from 50.6 million litres per day in June to 45.5 million litres per day in July, representing a 10 per cent reduction.
Domestic PMS supply recorded a sharper decline of 21 per cent, falling from 32.5 million litres per day to 25.8 million litres per day.
Petrol imports, however, increased by nine per cent, from 18.1 million litres per day to 19.7 million litres per day.
Despite the decline in overall receipts, PMS stock sufficiency improved from 19.7 days in June to 22.4 days in July, representing a 14 per cent increase.
Petrol consumption drops 25%
The decline in PMS consumption was more pronounced.
The Factsheet showed that daily PMS consumption dropped from 47.4 million litres in June to 35.7 million litres in July, representing a 25 per cent decrease.
The reduction suggests a significant contraction in measured petrol demand during the month, even as available stock improved.
Diesel supply strengthens
The diesel market recorded a notable improvement, with AGO receipts rising by 46 per cent.
Daily AGO receipts increased from 16.2 million litres in June to 23.6 million litres in July.
However, domestic AGO supply declined marginally by three per cent, from 16.2 million litres per day to 15.7 million litres per day.
The major change came from imports, which rose from zero in June to 7.9 million litres per day in July.
AGO stock sufficiency subsequently climbed from 37.1 days to 46.5 days, representing a 25 per cent improvement.
Diesel consumption, meanwhile, fell by eight per cent, from 16.0 million litres per day to 14.7 million litres per day.
LPG demand bucks trend
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) recorded growth in both domestic supply and consumption.
Total LPG receipts increased by four per cent, from 5.1kt/day in June to 5.3kt/day in July.
Domestic LPG supply rose by 22 per cent, from 3.6kt/day to 4.4kt/day, even as imports fell by 40 per cent, from 1.5kt/day to 0.9kt/day.
LPG consumption increased by seven per cent, rising from 4.1 million litres per day to 4.4 million litres per day.
Aviation fuel records sharp decline
The aviation fuel market recorded a downturn during the period.
ATK receipts fell by 24 per cent, from 2.5 million litres per day in June to 1.9 million litres per day in July.
Consumption declined even more sharply, dropping by 41 per cent, from 2.9 million litres per day to 1.7 million litres per day.
Domestic gas supply also declined by eight per cent, from 5.116bcf/d to 4.723bcf/d.
Domestic refinery activity
The NMDPRA data also highlighted the production and market activities of the Dangote Refinery.
The refinery produced 25.9 million litres of PMS per day, with domestic receipts of 25.8 million litres per day and exports of 3.4 million litres per day. Its closing PMS stock stood at 446.1 million litres.
For AGO, production averaged 19.1 million litres per day, while domestic receipts stood at 15.7 million litres per day and exports at 11.0 million litres per day. Closing AGO stock was 162.3 million litres.
The refinery's ATK production stood at 15.6 million litres per day, with domestic receipts of 1.9 million litres per day and exports of 11.6 million litres per day. Closing ATK stock was recorded at 217.4 million litres.
Crude supply to refineries declines
The Factsheet showed that crude oil receipts by domestic refineries also weakened during the month.
Crude receipts declined from 0.632 million barrels per day in June to 0.585mbpd in July, representing an eight per cent reduction.
The decline occurred against the backdrop of increased domestic refining activity in some product categories, highlighting the importance of securing adequate crude feedstock for local refineries.
Business implications
The July figures point to a changing structure in Nigeria's downstream petroleum market, with lower measured consumption across petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, alongside stronger stock positions.
For PMS, the combination of lower domestic supply, increased imports and improved stock sufficiency indicates that inventory levels provided some buffer despite reduced receipts.
The stronger AGO stock position was supported substantially by renewed imports, while LPG recorded increased domestic supply and consumption.
The data also places continued emphasis on domestic refining capacity and reliable crude supply as key factors in determining the sustainability of Nigeria's petroleum product supply chain.
Overall, the July performance reflects a mixed downstream market, characterised by lower petrol demand, improved fuel inventories, stronger diesel inflows, rising LPG consumption and significant movements in refinery production and exports.