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Fuel Imports Return as Five Vessels Berth in Lagos to Ease Shortage Fears

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 31st, 2026.

Amid mounting anxiety over fuel availability across Nigeria, five vessels laden with petrol and diesel have berthed at Lagos ports, offering a temporary boost to supply in the downstream sector.

Shipping data from the Nigerian Ports Authority, referenced by The PUNCH, shows that the tankers delivered a combined volume of about 95,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit and Automotive Gas Oil within a short window between late March 27 and March 29, 2026. The arrivals were recorded across Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, two of the country’s busiest import terminals.

Details from the port schedule indicate that one of the vessels discharged roughly 22,000 metric tonnes of diesel at the New Oil Jetty in Apapa shortly after arrival. Another shipment, expected around the same period, was projected to bring in about 15,000 metric tonnes of petrol through a nearby terminal. Additional deliveries included separate consignments of diesel and petrol routed through both Apapa and Kirikiri Lighter Terminals.

Industry observers say the steady inflow of vessels could help stabilise supply, especially after weeks of reduced activity at the ports. As noted by The Nation, fuel distribution had slowed in recent weeks, raising concerns among marketers and transport operators about potential shortages.

The development comes against the backdrop of a recent policy shift by the Federal Government, which approved fresh import licences for petrol despite earlier assurances of sufficient domestic refining capacity. According to reports by Daily Trust and corroborated by international energy intelligence firm S&P Global, the regulator authorised new import volumes estimated at around 180,000 metric tonnes to address an emerging supply gap.

A senior official within the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority reportedly attributed the decision to disruptions in global supply chains linked to tensions in the Middle East. The official explained that while local refineries had improved output earlier in the year, external shocks created a shortfall that required urgent intervention.

This marks a notable departure from the regulator’s earlier position. In previous statements cited by The Guardian, authorities had maintained that domestic production—boosted significantly by the Dangote Refinery—was adequate to meet national demand, reducing the need for imports.

However, the latest developments suggest that Nigeria’s transition to fuel self-sufficiency remains delicate.

Market participants confirm that several independent marketers are behind the current shipments, with expectations that more fuel trucks will begin lifting products from depots in the coming days. The renewed activity is expected to improve distribution nationwide, though analysts warn that price stability will still depend heavily on global crude oil trends.

Meanwhile, signals from the Dangote Refinery point to possible shifts in strategy. Senior sources within the company, quoted by The PUNCH, hinted that the refinery could redirect its output to international markets if import approvals persist. The move, if implemented, could reshape supply dynamics within Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

For now, the arrival of the vessels provides a short-term cushion, but the broader picture remains uncertain as policymakers balance local production ambitions with the realities of global energy disruptions.