Nigeria’s fuel traders say they still can’t get petrol from the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, even though the government declared both plants ready six months ago.

Because of this, they continue to rely on expensive fuel imports and limited supply from the privately owned $20 billion Dangote Refinery, according to a Reuters report.

Over the past ten years, Nigeria has spent more than ₦11.35 trillion (about $25 billion) trying to fix its three old, non-functional refineries.

Since 2021, about $2.4 billion has gone into refurbishing the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries to reduce fuel imports. But traders say the delays are still affecting local supply.

In December 2024, the government announced that the first phase of work at the Port Harcourt refinery was complete.

But by March 2025, official data showed it had not produced any petrol. The Warri refinery, also run by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), is facing similar issues.

According to the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), which represents more than 6,700 filling stations, members are still forced to rely on imports and the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery, which has not yet reached full production.

“Despite what we’ve been told, we’re still not getting any petrol from these refineries,” said one trader.

In March 2025, the Dangote Refinery produced 20.6 million litres of petrol, while imports supplied another 25.19 million litres.

Together, they met 92 percent of Nigeria’s daily petrol demand, which stands at 50 million litres. The Port Harcourt and Warri refineries contributed nothing.

This continued reliance on imports is putting pressure on the economy. In 2024, Nigeria spent ₦15.4 trillion (around $9.63 billion) on petrol imports, more than double the ₦7.51 trillion spent in 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Government officials say fully activating local refineries remains a key goal to reduce costs and improve energy security.