NMDPRA data shows Nigerians burned nearly 2 billion litres of petrol in December 2025 amid festive movements and high pump prices
Nigerians spent an estimated ₦1.58 trillion on petrol in December 2025, following a sharp rise in fuel consumption during the festive period, according to official data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Figures from the regulator’s December fact sheet show that average daily petrol consumption stood at 63.7 million litres throughout the month. With December spanning 31 days, total national petrol usage amounted to approximately 1.97 billion litres.
Fuel consumption remained elevated during the period, largely attributed to increased travel, end-of-year commercial activities and heightened movement associated with the Yuletide season.
Applying an average pump price of about ₦800 per litre, which broadly reflected prices across major cities despite regional variations total consumer spending on petrol for the month is estimated at ₦1.58 trillion.
Although the Dangote refinery implemented a price cut in December, reducing pump prices from around ₦900 to as low as ₦739 per litre at select outlets, market observations showed that many filling stations sold petrol above ₦800, particularly in northern parts of the country. Only a few marketers, including MRS stations in Lagos and parts of Ogun State, fully reflected the lower pricing.
The spending estimate is based on two key indicators: the official daily consumption figures provided by the regulator and prevailing retail prices following the deregulation of the petrol market. While prices differed slightly by location, ₦800 per litre represents a reasonable national average during the month.
December is traditionally one of the busiest months for fuel consumption, driven by long-distance travel, logistics for end-of-year trade, and increased reliance on petrol-powered generators by households and businesses. These seasonal factors contributed to the elevated spending levels recorded.
The NMDPRA data showed that the December 2025 daily consumption figure of 63.7 million litres was the highest since October 2024. By comparison, average daily petrol usage in December 2024 stood at 52.3 million litres.
Consumption patterns in 2025 showed a steady climb toward year-end. Daily usage rose to 56.9 million litres in October, declined to 52.9 million litres in November, before surging to its peak in December.
According to the regulator, the reported consumption figures are based on volumes trucked into the domestic market by both importers and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Nigeria imported about 1.31 billion litres of petrol in December 2025, while the Dangote refinery supplied 992 million litres within the same period, reflecting a stronger contribution from domestic refining compared to November.
Overall petrol supply during the month averaged 74.2 million litres per day, with imports accounting for 42.2 million litres per day and the Dangote refinery supplying 32 million litres per day. The data indicates that roughly 10 million litres per day were not trucked out during the period.
According to the NMDPRA, domestic supply includes volumes received into coastal depots as well as those lifted directly from local refineries. The authority noted that petrol supply improved significantly in December due to increased output from the Dangote refinery, which rose from 19.5 million litres per day to 32 million litres per day.
The ₦1.58 trillion spending estimate highlights the growing financial burden of petrol on Nigerian households and businesses, even as improved supply from domestic refining and imports helped stabilise product availability.
It also underscores how fuel expenditure continues to consume a significant portion of household and business spending in Nigeria’s fully deregulated downstream petroleum market.
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