The NBS report revealed that, in addition to petrol exports valued at N105.5 billion, gas oil shipments to Togo reached N278.36 billion, while kerosene-type jet fuel exports stood at N273.18 billion
KANo —
Nigeria exported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, worth N105.5 billion to Togo in the first quarter of 2026, marking a significant shift in the country’s petroleum trade dynamics and reinforcing its emerging role as a regional supplier of refined fuel.
The export figure, contained in the Q1 2026 Foreign Trade Statistics Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
It highlights how Nigeria’s downstream sector is undergoing rapid transformation following increased domestic refining capacity, particularly from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Analysis of the report shows that petrol ranked among Nigeria’s major petroleum exports to Togo during the period under review, underscoring a dramatic reversal of the country’s long-standing dependence on imported fuel.
For decades, Nigeria relied heavily on foreign refined petroleum products due to insufficient domestic refining capacity.
However, the latest data indicates a new trajectory, with the country now exporting significant volumes of refined fuel within the West African sub-region.
The NBS report revealed that, in addition to petrol exports valued at N105.5 billion, gas oil shipments to Togo reached N278.36 billion, while kerosene-type jet fuel exports stood at N273.18 billion.
Crude petroleum oil exports were valued at N220.14 billion, and partially refined oil products accounted for N89.83 billion.
The emergence of petrol as a major export commodity is closely tied to the ramp-up of operations at the Dangote refinery, which has significantly boosted Nigeria’s refining output and altered fuel supply patterns across West Africa.
However, the evolving trade pattern has also revealed complex supply chain dynamics.
Recent disclosures indicate that Nigerian fuel marketers are increasingly re-importing petroleum products originally refined by Dangote through an offshore ship-to-ship trading hub in Lomé, Togo.
Speaking during a webinar organised by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, an official of S&P Global Commodity Insights, Matthew Tracey-Cook, said Dangote-produced fuel now dominates waterborne petroleum imports into Nigeria.
“Dangote volumes on a coastal basis do arrive back in Lagos from Lomé. Over the last six months, if you look at the volume of products on a waterborne basis that’s imported directly into Nigeria, Dangote production has become increasingly dominant,” he said.
Tracey-Cook explained that between March and May, more than 70 to 80 per cent of petroleum products imported into Nigeria originated from the Dangote refinery, albeit routed through the Lomé trading hub.
The development highlights the strategic importance of Togo’s offshore infrastructure in regional fuel distribution.
The Lomé hub enables large tankers to offload cargo offshore, which is then transferred to smaller vessels capable of accessing ports across West Africa, many of which lack the capacity to receive fully laden medium-range tankers.
“Lomé has become an increasingly important transshipment hub for filling regional shortages across the region,” Tracey-Cook noted, adding that the facility plays a critical role in maintaining supply stability.
Beyond Togo, Côte d’Ivoire also emerged as a key destination for Nigerian petroleum exports during the quarter, receiving shipments of crude oil, gas oil, and petrol.
Despite the surge in exports and growing domestic refining capacity, the Federal Government has continued to approve fuel imports to ensure steady supply within the country.
FG Issues Fresh Petrol Import Permits
According to a report by global energy intelligence firm, Argus Media, the government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has issued fresh permits for the importation of petrol and diesel for the third quarter of 2026.
The approvals, covering the July to September period, were granted to major downstream operators amid concerns over declining fuel stock levels and reduced gasoline production at the Dangote refinery.
The move reflects the government’s balancing act between promoting local refining and ensuring adequate supply to meet domestic demand.
While all the firms received approvals to import petrol, only some were authorised to import diesel.
According to the report, AA Rano and Matrix Energy were each granted permits to import 180,000 metric tonnes of petrol, while AYM Shafa received approval for 120,000 metric tonnes. Pinnacle Oil secured a permit for 150,000 metric tonnes.
For diesel imports, AYM Shafa was approved to import 60,000 metric tonnes, while Pinnacle Oil received a permit for 45,000 metric tonnes.
Industry sources indicated that many of the companies granted fresh approvals had received similar permits in previous rounds, suggesting continuity in the government’s supply strategy.
The latest approvals follow an earlier batch issued in May, which covered approximately 720,000 metric tonnes of petrol.
Analysts say the continued reliance on imports, despite rising domestic production, underscores the complexity of Nigeria’s fuel supply chain and the challenges associated with transitioning to full self-sufficiency.
Nonetheless, stakeholders remain optimistic that ongoing investments in refining and infrastructure will gradually reduce the need for imports while strengthening Nigeria’s position as a net exporter of refined petroleum products.
The developments in the first quarter of 2026 signal a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s energy sector, as the country navigates the transition from a fuel-import-dependent economy to a regional refining hub.
