Nigeria is receiving a fresh wave of petrol imports as nearly 150,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) make their way into the country between November 21 and 25, 2025. The influx—estimated at 194.35 million litres—comes on the heels of the Federal Government’s decision to delay the enforcement of a new 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel.
The duty, approved in October by President Bola Tinubu, was designed to protect domestic refineries and create a more balanced downstream market by applying the tariff to the cost, insurance, and freight value of imported fuel. Although industry stakeholders acknowledged that the measure would help local producers, it was also expected to push pump prices higher. The President had initially directed immediate implementation in a letter issued to the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
However, government authorities later announced that the tariff’s rollout would be postponed until the first quarter of 2026. That decision has prompted a renewed push among fuel importers, leading to the surge currently visible across multiple port complexes.
Ports Record Heavy Traffic as Shipments Arrive
The Nigerian Ports Authority’s latest Shipping Position shows that Tin Can Island Port recorded the largest share of the incoming PMS, handling 58,500 metric tonnes in a two-day period. Calabar Port followed with 46,000 metric tonnes, while Warri Port received 45,000 metric tonnes.
A breakdown of the vessel movements shows:
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Tin Can Island (KLT Terminals):
- November 21: 28,000 metric tonnes
- November 22: 20,500 metric tonnes (KLT Phase 3a) and 10,000 metric tonnes (KLT Phase 2)
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Calabar Port:
- November 24: 16,000 metric tonnes via Dozzy Oil and Gas Ltd
- November 25: 30,000 metric tonnes via North West Petroleum and Gas Ltd
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Warri Port:
- November 21: 15,000 metric tonnes through the Rainoil Terminal
- November 22: 30,000 metric tonnes through Rainoil and Matric Energy Nigeria Ltd
The NPA’s Shipping Position, published daily, tracks port activity, detailing arrivals, berthing schedules, and cargo types across major port zones including Lagos, Onne, Rivers, Calabar, and Delta.
Market Dynamics Shift as Dangote Refinery Slashes Prices
The latest import activity also follows significant adjustments in the domestic supply landscape. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery recently reduced its ex-depot price by ₦49 per litre—a move that marketers say has reshaped competition in the sector. According to industry operators, the revised pricing has made imports less attractive and increased pressure on traders who rely on foreign supplies.
The Federal Government’s planned import tariff would have heightened this effect by widening the cost gap between imported fuel and locally refined PMS. But with the tariff on hold, importers have taken advantage of the temporary reprieve, bringing in higher volumes before the policy takes effect next year.
A Transition Phase for Nigeria’s Fuel Market
The current spike in PMS imports highlights the fluidity of Nigeria’s downstream sector as the country attempts to balance policy reforms, market realities, and the emergence of large-scale domestic refining capacity. The next few months are expected to determine whether marketers continue to rely on imported fuel or pivot more strongly toward local supply once the new tariff becomes operational.
For now, the surge in shipments underscores the industry’s race to adjust ahead of regulatory changes that will shape the fuel market in 2026 and beyond.