Nigeria Ends Aviation Fuel Imports As Local Refineries Meet Demand

Nigeria has gone 13 consecutive months without importing Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), commonly known as Jet A-1, as domestic refineries fully supplied the country’s aviation fuel market during the period.

Official data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that between June 2025 and June 2026, Oil Marketing Companies recorded no imports of aviation fuel, marking a major shift from the country’s long-standing dependence on imported Jet A-1.

The development reflects growing domestic refining capacity following the commencement and expansion of operations at new and rehabilitated refineries, with local producers now serving as the sole source of aviation fuel supply.

According to the NMDPRA’s latest petroleum supply statistics, domestic refinery receipts fluctuated throughout the 13-month period. Supply rose from 1.3 million litres per day in June 2025 to 1.5 million litres in July before climbing to 3.5 million litres in August. Receipts later dropped to 1.6 million litres in September, recovered to 2.7 million litres in October and fell to zero in November.

Supply rebounded strongly in December 2025, reaching a record 14 million litres per day, the highest level recorded during the review period.

In 2026, refinery receipts declined to six million litres per day in January, dropped further to 1.6 million litres in February and gradually recovered to 4.3 million litres in May before easing to 2.5 million litres per day in June.

The June figure represented a decline of about 31 per cent from the 3.6 million litres per day recorded in May.

Despite the fluctuations in refinery output, aviation fuel consumption remained relatively stable. Daily demand stood at 3.5 million litres in January, declined to 2.9 million litres in February, fell to 2.1 million litres in March, and later recovered to 3.1 million litres in May before moderating to 2.9 million litres in June.

The regulator said average daily aviation fuel consumption remained close to Nigeria’s benchmark demand of three million litres, adding that the figures were based on volumes trucked into the domestic market.

The elimination of aviation fuel imports is expected to reduce the aviation industry’s exposure to foreign exchange volatility, lower logistics costs and improve product availability across the country.

For years, Nigeria relied heavily on imported Jet A-1 due to limited domestic refining capacity, leaving airlines vulnerable to supply disruptions and fluctuations in global oil prices.

The latest figures align with the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen energy security through increased local refining while reducing foreign exchange spent on importing refined petroleum products.

However, the data also highlighted persistent supply volatility, with refinery receipts ranging from a peak of 14 million litres per day in December 2025 to 2.5 million litres per day in June 2026, indicating that maintaining stable production remains critical despite the country’s success in eliminating imports.

The development comes months after a sharp rise in Jet A-1 prices pushed up airfares across Nigeria. In March 2026, aviation fuel prices surged from about N900 per litre in January to as high as N2,557 per litre, increasing operating costs for airlines, where fuel accounts for about 40 per cent of total expenses.

Although domestic production is expected to cushion the industry against external shocks, sustained and consistent refinery output will be key to ensuring stable supply and more predictable aviation fuel prices.