Business
Nigeria Exports 55.39m Barrels as Dangote Battles Crude Shortage
Nigeria exported 55.39 million barrels of crude oil in the first two months of 2026, even as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to struggle with inadequate domestic feedstock supply.
According to the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the country shipped out 31.31 million barrels in January and 24.08 million barrels in February. In January, crude production averaged 1.46 million barrels per day with exports at 1.01 mbpd. In February, production fell to 1.31 mbpd while exports averaged 0.86 mbpd.
Total crude production for the two months stood at 81.94 million barrels, meaning that 26.55 million barrels were left behind for local refineries in the first two months of 2026.
The strong export figures come at a time when the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote refinery is battling an acute shortage of local crude. The refinery has repeatedly complained of receiving far below its required volumes from domestic sources, forcing it to import crude from international markets.
This situation persists despite Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest crude oil producer. Industry sources note that a significant portion of produced crude continues to be exported while the country’s flagship refinery grapples with supply constraints under the naira-for-crude arrangement.
Before the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited recently increased crude supply to the Dangote refinery from five cargoes to 10 cargoes, The PUNCH reports that the ambitious deal between the Dangote refinery and the NNPC faced challenges, as the refinery experienced a crude oil supply shortfall of approximately 79.53 million barrels between October 2025 and mid-March 2026.
Data obtained from an impeccable senior management source within the refinery indicated that the facility, which requires approximately 19.77 million barrels of crude monthly to operate at full capacity, received significantly lower volumes during the period.
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The official argued that, under the Petroleum Industries Act, the export of crude before meeting local demand was clearly prohibited, stressing that the $20bn Lekki-based plant had been grappling with inadequate crude volumes, while the country, through NNPC, continued to export some of its oil.
A breakdown of the figures shows that the refinery is supposed to get about 19.77 million barrels of crude monthly, but it got 4.55 million barrels in October, 6.45 million barrels in November, 4.30 million barrels in December, 5.65 million barrels in January, and 4.66 million barrels in February. For March, only 3.6 million barrels were delivered between the 1st and 15th.
In total, crude supplied within the five-and-a-half-month period stood at 29.21 million barrels, compared to an estimated 108.74 million barrels required for the same duration. This translates to a supply performance of about 26.9 per cent, indicating that more than three-quarters of the refinery’s crude needs were not met.
Earlier, the Dangote refinery had repeatedly lamented that it was not getting enough crude locally for its operations.
As the Iran-US war continues to disrupt global oil supply, the Dangote refinery effected multiple fuel price increases, raising the petrol pump price above N1,300 per litre before it was later reduced to the current N1,250 per litre.
Defending these price hikes, the Dangote refinery said in a statement that local crude producers were refusing to supply feedstock to its facility, forcing it to rely more on imported crude.
According to the company, the refinery received just five cargoes every month from the national oil company instead of 13 cargoes, adding that the cargoes were paid for at international market prices.
“While we receive about five cargoes a month from NNPC, which we pay for in naira, these cargoes are priced at international market prices plus premium and fall short of the 13 cargoes which we require to support sales into Nigeria.
“The high crude cost is compounded by the fact that Nigeria’s upstream producers have failed to supply crude oil to the refinery as required under the Petroleum Industry Act, forcing us to source a substantial portion through international traders who charge an additional premium,” it stated.
However, reliable sources at the NNPC, who pleaded anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed to our correspondent that the company was leveraging its global crude trading network to source third-party crude for the 650,000-barrel Lekki refinery.
According to the source, the NNPC would sell the crude to the refinery at prices that are competitive with prevailing international market rates, ruling out calls by some stakeholders that the Federal Government should sell feedstock to local refineries at rates designed locally to shield Nigeria from the global price rise.
“Leveraging our global crude trading network, we are sourcing third-party crude for the refinery at prices that are competitive with prevailing international market rates.
“As the national oil company entrusted with safeguarding Nigeria’s energy security, NNPC Limited remains fully committed to supporting domestic refining, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Within the framework of our existing agreements, we continue to facilitate crude supply to the refinery in the face of temporary availability constraints,” he explained.
Our correspondent gathered from other sources within the national oil company that there was truly a shortfall because some volume of NNPC’s daily crude output had been front-sold in the past.
“Indeed, there’s a shortfall, but it wasn’t deliberate. You know that some volumes have been front-sold in the past. That is causing some form of distortion, but that doesn’t mean the NNPC will not meet up. The company is looking at other alternative sources,” it was said.
Recently, Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, revealed in a report by Bloomberg that the refinery received 10 cargoes of crude oil from the state-owned oil firm in March, compared to an average of about five cargoes monthly since late 2024.
Dangote said the shipments included six cargoes paid for in naira and four in dollars, under the crude supply arrangement between the refinery and the NNPC. However, this is still below the over 19 million barrels required by the refinery monthly.
The Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, called for increased crude supply to local refineries.
Idoko declared that refiners would intensify demand for more crude with the reported improvement in national production. The CORAN spokesman explained that consistent crude supply would improve refinery operations and profitability, noting that modular refineries would not make profits unless they get enough feedstock locally.
“If we get crude, of course, we will make gains; we have our cash flow. If we get regular products like we ought to do, yes, we would make gains. But without products, we are not making gains. If the oil producers give us feedstock, we will make gains. That’s how good the refining business is,” he said.
The Punch
Critical stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to intervene to address challenges confronting domestic refiners so as to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
According to the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) it has become urgent for the government at the highest level to convene a Presidential Refining Industry Roundtable (PRIR) involving regulators, crude producers, financiers, infrastructure investors and refinery operators to develop a national roadmap for the sector.
The CORAN, in a position paper, said domestic refiners were grappling with foreign exchange pressures, high borrowing costs, crude supply constraints, inadequate infrastructure and rising logistics costs.
The association said Nigeria’s experience contrasted sharply with that of the United States, where President Donald Trump recently met refinery and fuel-distribution executives despite the country’s high refinery utilisation, underscoring the importance of government engagement with strategic industries.
According to the CORAN, Nigeria, despite being one of Africa’s largest crude oil producers, still faced difficulties supplying local refineries with crude under commercially sustainable arrangements.
It called for the full institutionalisation of the Federal Government’s Naira-for-Crude initiative, arguing that refineries selling most of their products in naira should not face unnecessary foreign exchange pressure in sourcing crude.
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The association also demanded a domestic crude-pricing framework that considers transportation, crude quality, point of delivery and other transaction costs rather than relying solely on international benchmarks.
“Physical allocation alone is not enough. Crude must be delivered at commercially sustainable prices and under arrangements that properly consider transportation, quality, evacuation, financing and proximity to producing assets,” CORAN said.
The refinery owners also expressed concern over the continued influx of imported petroleum products, warning that excessive imports could undermine investments in local refining, increase foreign exchange demand and expose the country to external supply disruptions.
While acknowledging that imports might be required to cover temporary supply gaps, the CORAN said they should not remain the dominant structure of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market.
The association identified access to long-term financing as another major obstacle and called for a Refinery Development and Expansion Financing Framework involving development finance institutions, commercial banks, pension funds, infrastructure funds and private investors.
It said the proposed framework should provide long-term funding, credit guarantees, refinancing windows and construction-risk support for new and existing refineries.
The CORAN also called for increased investment in pipelines, storage terminals, depots, rail-linked transport and marine evacuation facilities, noting that reliance on road transportation significantly increased costs and safety risks.
The association urged the Federal Government to treat refineries as strategic industrial infrastructure capable of supporting employment, engineering, fabrication, petrochemicals and other sectors.
“Nigeria cannot continue exporting crude, exporting jobs and importing petroleum products at significant economic cost,” the association said.
The CORAN said the proposed presidential roundtable should produce clear timelines for strengthening the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation, institutionalising Naira-for-Crude, developing a domestic crude-pricing framework, reducing unnecessary product imports and expanding refinery financing and infrastructure.
It said Nigeria must move from an import-dependent petroleum economy towards a production-driven model, with domestic refineries playing a central role in meeting local demand and positioning the country as a refining hub for Africa.
President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has commended Sahara Group for its longstanding commitment to Senegal and the Société Africaine de Raffinage (SAR), describing the company as a trusted partner in the country’s energy sector.
The President made the remarks while receiving a Sahara delegation led by Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group, alongside Mamadou Abib Diop, Managing Director of SAR, at the Presidential Palace in Dakar.
President Faye acknowledged Sahara’s passion for Africa, its Pan-African outlook, and its consistent support for Senegal’s energy aspirations over the years through Sahara’s longstanding relationship with SAR.
“We appreciate Sahara’s dynamism, flexibility and constructive partnership with SAR, particularly its support in helping secure the country’s energy requirements amid challenging global market conditions,” President Faye added.
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Responding, Ajibade reaffirmed Sahara’s commitment to supporting Senegal’s energy security and economic development.
“Senegal has been an important partner for Sahara over the years, and we remain committed to deploying our expertise, infrastructure, financing capabilities and operational experience in ways that support the country’s energy ambitions. We are encouraged by the progress being made and look forward to deepening our partnership with SAR and other stakeholders across the energy value chain,” he said.
Ajibade noted that Sahara’s engagement in Senegal extends beyond its shareholding in SAR and reflects the company’s broader commitment to advancing energy access, industrial development and sustainable economic growth across Africa.
SAR Managing Director Mamadou Abib Diop, described Sahara as a reliable, long-term partner that has made significant investments in Senegal and continues to play an important role in supporting the country’s energy sector.
“Sahara Energy has invested significantly in Senegal over the years and remains a major and reliable partner. We are focused on strengthening our collaboration with Sahara to provide Senegal with greater flexibility in addressing the needs of the energy sector.”
Diop highlighted Sahara’s support for SAR’s crude oil supply requirements and noted that the company has consistently demonstrated its willingness to work alongside Senegalese stakeholders to help navigate prevailing market challenges.
The meeting further reinforced the strong partnership between Senegal, SAR and Sahara Group, as all parties continue to pursue practical solutions that enhance energy security, strengthen supply reliability and support the country’s long-term economic development.
Photo Caption – From Left, Executive Director, Sahara Group, Wale Ajibade and President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Presidential Palace in Dakar, Senegal
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the commencement of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP), paving the way for what could become one of the largest capital market transaction in Nigeria’s history.
A company statement in Lagos has it that the approval was conveyed in a letter to the Lead Issuing House, Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, and signed by the Director of the Securities and Investment Services Department of the SEC, Abdulkadir Abbas.
According to the Commission, the proposed offering comprises 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ₦525 per share, with the potential to raise approximately ₦2.15 trillion if fully subscribed. In addition, the SEC has registered the company’s existing 120.13 billion ordinary shares.
The regulatory approval clears the refinery’s draft offer documents and authorises the company to proceed with its Completion Board Meeting and Signing Ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the IPO process.
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The SEC’s clearance represents another major step in the evolution of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, opening investment opportunities in one of Africa’s most strategic industrial assets and further strengthening Nigeria’s capital market.
Located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, the DPRP Complex occupies approximately 2,635 hectares and is home to a world-class integrated refining and petrochemicals facility. The complex currently has a refining capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, making it the largest single-train refinery in the world, alongside a 900,000 tonnes per annum polypropylene plant. The facility is powered by a dedicated 435-megawatt power plant.
At full production, the refinery is designed to satisfy Nigeria’s domestic demand for refined petroleum products while generating substantial volumes for export markets. The facility is also undergoing expansion that is expected to increase capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, positioning it to become the world’s largest refinery.
The refinery is supported by extensive world-class infrastructure, including a self-sufficient marine facility designed to optimise logistics and freight efficiency. It also holds the world’s largest single order of five Single Point Moorings (SPMs) and incorporates advanced processing technology that meets World Bank, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), European emission standards, and Nigerian regulatory requirements.
Its integrated port infrastructure includes multiple quays capable of handling Panamax vessels, liquid cargo shipments, and roll-on/roll-off operations, while its storage network comprises 177 tanks with a combined capacity of 4.742 billion litres.
With SEC approval now secured, the refinery is poised to embark on a historic public offering that could significantly broaden investor participation in one of Nigeria’s most transformative industrial ventures.
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