Quick overview

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Nigerian fuel dealers claim that despite the state-owned Port Harcourt and Warri refineries being deemed ready six months ago, they are experiencing difficulties obtaining gasoline.

They remain dependent on imports and the $20 billion Dangote Refinery to fulfill their supply requirements.

Fuel shortages in Nigeria have long been a problem. In an attempt to repair its three outdated, non-operational refineries, the nation has spent over N11.35 trillion ($25 billion) over the last ten years. Nigeria has invested roughly $2.04 billion since 2021 to upgrade two refineries in the Niger Delta to lessen its reliance on imported fuel.

Delays in these refineries’ complete operation continue to affect the local fuel supply. Even though Nigeria announced in December 2024 that the first phase of renovations at the Port Harcourt refinery was finished, fuel dealers claim they can’t obtain gasoline from the state-owned NNPC-operated plant or the Warri refinery.

The Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa, has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day but has not yet achieved full production.

According to the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), which represents over 6,700 fuel stations, the refinery is a key source of fuel imports and supplies for its members.  The Port Harcourt refinery, once the biggest in Nigeria, stopped producing gasoline by March 2025.