Crude oil imports by domestic refineries in Nigeria rose by 151.5 per cent to 5.13 million barrels in July 2026, from 2.04 million barrels recorded in June, according to data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The increase reflects a significant rise in the volume of crude supplied from foreign sources to domestic refineries during the month. The development comes as local refiners continue to seek adequate crude feedstock to sustain operations and meet growing demand for petroleum products.
The NMDPRA data showed that the 5.13 million barrels imported in July represented an increase of about 3.09 million barrels compared with the previous month. The sharp rise highlights the growing reliance on imported crude to support domestic refining activities.
The development is also significant as Nigeria seeks to strengthen local refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Increased access to crude feedstock is expected to support refinery operations and improve the availability of locally refined products.
The rise in crude imports comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and industry operators to expand domestic refining and improve the country’s petroleum supply chain.
The government has continued to emphasise local refining as a key part of its strategy to strengthen energy security and reduce pressure on foreign exchange.
