Nigeria Still Depends on Fuel Imports, Minister Admits

Nigeria’s claim of steady progress towards energy self-sufficiency has been tempered by a fresh admission from the federal government that the country continues to rely on imported petroleum products to meet domestic demand.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, said Nigeria’s refining capacity, while improving, remains insufficient to supply the entire local market.

Speaking at the CERAWeek by S&P Global Conference in Houston, Lokpobiri acknowledged that domestic refineries are contributing more fuel to the national supply chain but stressed that imports are still unavoidable.

READ ALSO: Adelabu Apologises as Power Outages Deepen Hardship

He said recent investments and refinery rehabilitation efforts had boosted local output, raising expectations that Nigeria could massively reduce its dependence on foreign fuel supplies. 

However, he cautioned that those gains have not yet translated into full self-sufficiency.

“We are not yet at a point where local production alone can satisfy total consumption,” the minister said.

He maintained that imports remain a necessary part of the supply mix while additional capacity comes on stream.