Nigeria currently imports 25 million liters of petrol daily, according to the Federal Government. This is due to the country’s daily petrol consumption dropping to 50 million liters, with local refineries supplying only half of the daily requirements.
The government clarified that none of the companies involved in domestic refining are involved in the importation. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has also banned 60,000-liter capacity tankers from transporting petrol and other petroleum products starting March 1, 2025.
This ban aims to reduce tanker-related accidents and mitigate the deterioration of road infrastructure. However, the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has warned that the ban would cost them over N300 billion invested in procuring over 2,000 units of 60,000-liter capacity trucks.
By the fourth quarter of 2025, the NMDPRA plans to prohibit the loading of petroleum products into tankers with capacities exceeding 45,000 liters. This move aims to enhance safety standards within the industry.
Source: Vanguard
