The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream has described the report that Dangote Refinery has achieved a historic milestone as a major boost to Nigeria’s energy sector and a validation of ongoing reforms in the downstream petroleum industry.
Nigeria crossed a milestone in its energy history in March 2026 when the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals exported more refined petrol than the country imported, making Africa’s largest crude producer a net exporter of refined fuel for the first time.
The Lekki-based facility shipped 44,000 barrels per day (bpd) of petrol during the month, while Nigeria’s petrol imports fell to 41,000 bpd, the lowest level ever recorded according to market intelligence firm Kpler.
The resulting surplus of roughly 3,000 bpd marks the end of a structural anomaly that had defined Nigeria’s economy for decades: a country that sat on vast crude reserves but shipped refined products back home because it lacked the processing capacity to serve its own population.
Crude supply to the 650,000 bpd refinery climbed to approximately 565,000 bpd in March, the second-highest throughput since operations began in late 2023, pointing to sustained utilisation at scale. Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, credited the economic and energy sector reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration for creating the policy conditions that made large-scale domestic refining commercially viable and restored investor confidence in the sector.
In a statement by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the lawmakers said that the development represents a watershed moment for Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry and a strong signal that domestic refining capacity is beginning to stabilize the country’s energy supply chain.
The Committee described the achievement as a “national pride milestone,” noting that it reflects the impact of private sector investment in addressing long-standing inefficiencies in the petroleum value chain.
They commended the performance of the Dangote refinery, stating that the shift from heavy import dependence to net export status, even if marginal, demonstrates the potential of local refining to transform Nigeria’s economic structure.
Lawmakers further noted that the development is expected to ease pressure on foreign exchange demand, improve fuel availability, and strengthen energy security if sustained over time.
They urged regulatory agencies to ensure transparency, efficiency, and protection of critical petroleum infrastructure to sustain the gains recorded in the sector.
The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to legislative backing for policies that encourage domestic refining, support industrial growth, and position Nigeria as a leading energy hub in Africa.
