Dangote-NNPC Deal Hits Turbulence Over Crude Shortfall

The ambitious deal between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is facing challenges, as the refinery experienced a crude oil supply shortfall of approximately 79.53 million barrels between October 2025 and mid-March 2026, according to findings.

Data obtained from an impeccable senior management source within the refinery indicated that the facility, which requires approximately 19.77 million barrels of crude monthly to operate at full capacity, received significantly lower volumes during the review month.

The official argued that, under the Petroleum Industries Act, the export of crude before meeting local demand was clearly prohibited, stressing that the $20bn Lekki-based plant had been grappling with inadequate crude volumes, while the country, through NNPC, continued to export some of its oil.

A breakdown of the figures shows that the refinery is supposed to get about 19.77 million barrels of crude monthly, but it got 4.55 million barrels in October, 6.45 million barrels in November, 4.30 million barrels in December, 5.65 million barrels in January, and 4.66 million barrels in February.

For March, only 3.6 million barrels were delivered between the 1st and 15th. See more, full details. .