Nigeria’s petrol shipments surge after suspension of import duty

Nigeria has recorded a major spike in petrol imports, with about 149,500 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit — roughly 194.35 million litres — arriving or expected to arrive between Friday, 21 November, and Tuesday, 25 November 2025, according to fresh data from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The surge follows the Federal Government’s decision to postpone the implementation of a 15 per cent ad valorem import duty on petrol and diesel.

The tariff, approved by President Bola Tinubu in October as part of a “market-responsive import tariff framework,” was intended to support domestic refining and stabilise the downstream sector but was expected to increase pump prices.

Although initially slated for immediate rollout, its implementation has now been deferred to the first quarter of 2026.

NPA’s latest Shipping Position shows that Tincan Island Port recorded the highest volume of recent petrol imports, receiving 58,500 metric tonnes within two days.

Calabar Port received 46,000 metric tonnes, while Warri Port handled 45,000 metric tonnes.

At Tincan Island’s Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT), 28,000 metric tonnes were discharged on Friday, followed by another 20,500 metric tonnes on Saturday, with an additional 10,000 metric tonnes arriving through KLT Phase 2. Calabar Port is expected to receive 16,000 metric tonnes on Monday and 30,000 metric tonnes on Tuesday.

Warri Port received 15,000 metric tonnes on Friday and an extra 30,000 metric tonnes the next day.

The increased imports come at a time when petroleum marketers are reassessing supply strategies following a recent ₦49-per-litre reduction in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s petrol gantry price, a development that has intensified competition in the downstream market.

Had the proposed 15 per cent duty taken effect immediately, the price gap between imported and locally refined fuel would have widened significantly.

With the tariff now suspended until 2026, dealers have quickly moved to bring in additional cargoes, contributing to the sharp rise in arrivals across Nigeria’s ports in recent days.