NMDPRA data shows domestic producers supplied 100% of Jet A-1 demand between June 2025 and June 2026, signaling a major shift in Nigeria’s energy landscape…..
Nigeria’s aviation fuel market has entered a new phase, with local refineries completely replacing imported Jet A-1 fuel for more than a year, according to the latest industry data.
Figures released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) show that no aviation fuel imports were recorded by Oil Marketing Companies between June 2025 and June 2026, meaning domestic refineries supplied the country’s entire reported Jet A-1 market throughout the 13-month period.
The milestone represents a significant turnaround for Nigeria, which for years depended heavily on imported aviation fuel because of limited local refining capacity. The emergence of new refining projects and improved output from rehabilitated facilities has steadily reduced that dependence, helping local producers take full control of supply.
Although domestic production met the country’s aviation fuel needs during the review period, refinery receipts fluctuated sharply from month to month.
Daily receipts increased from 1.3 million litres in June 2025 to 1.5 million litres in July, before climbing to 3.5 million litres in August. Supplies later eased to 1.6 million litres in September and 2.7 million litres in October, while no refinery receipts were recorded in November.
Production rebounded dramatically in December 2025, reaching a record 14 million litres per day, the highest level recorded during the period under review.
In 2026, refinery receipts moderated to 6.0 million litres per day in January before falling further to 1.6 million litres in February. Output gradually recovered over the following months, rising to 2.1 million litres in March, 3.0 million litres in April, and 4.3 million litres in May, before easing to 2.5 million litres per day in June.
The latest figures indicate that average refinery receipts declined by about 31 percent between May and June, highlighting the continued volatility in domestic production despite the absence of imports.
Despite the swings in refinery output, aviation fuel consumption remained relatively stable.
NMDPRA data showed daily consumption stood at 3.5 million litres in January, before falling to 2.9 million litres in February and 2.1 million litres in March. Demand later recovered to 2.5 million litres in April and 3.1 million litres in May, before settling at 2.9 million litres per day in June around six percent lower than the previous month.
Overall, aviation fuel demand averaged approximately 2.9 million litres per day, closely matching Nigeria’s estimated benchmark requirement of three million litres daily.
According to the regulator, the consumption figures are based on petroleum products trucked into the domestic market.
The disappearance of imported Jet A-1 marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s drive toward energy self-sufficiency. For years, airlines relied almost entirely on imported aviation fuel, leaving operators exposed to foreign exchange volatility, high logistics costs and periodic supply shortages.
Greater reliance on local refining is expected to improve product availability, shorten supply chains and reduce the country’s import bill while supporting the Federal Government’s broader objective of strengthening domestic refining capacity and conserving foreign exchange.
However, analysts say the sharp month-to-month fluctuations in refinery receipts underscore the need for more stable production. While local refineries have demonstrated the capacity to meet national demand, maintaining consistent supply will be critical to sustaining confidence in the aviation sector.
The development comes months after airlines battled a sharp surge in aviation fuel prices that significantly increased operating costs. In March 2026, the price of Jet A-1 climbed from about ₦900 per litre in January to as high as ₦2,557 per litre, driven largely by disruptions in global oil markets following tensions in the Middle East.
The spike forced domestic carriers to raise ticket prices, with fares on some one-hour routes exceeding ₦200,000 as fuel continued to account for roughly 40 percent of airline operating expenses.
While the latest NMDPRA data suggests Nigeria no longer depends on imported aviation fuel, industry stakeholders say the next challenge will be ensuring that domestic production remains consistent enough to shield airlines from supply disruptions and future price shocks.
