Nigeria has recorded 13 consecutive months without importing Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), also known as Jet A-1, as domestic refineries fully supplied the country’s aviation fuel market between June 2025 and June 2026, according to the latest petroleum supply data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The milestone marks a major shift in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector after years of dependence on imported aviation fuel caused by limited local refining capacity. Official industry figures indicate that all reported aviation fuel supplied during the review period came from domestic refineries, with no imports recorded by oil marketing companies.
The latest development reflects the growing impact of expanded local refining operations on Nigeria’s energy security and petroleum supply chain. Brandspur Brand News reports that increased domestic production is expected to reduce reliance on foreign exchange for aviation fuel imports while strengthening supply within the country’s aviation industry.
NMDPRA statistics show that domestic refinery receipts fluctuated throughout the period despite maintaining complete market dominance. Supply rose from 1.3 million litres per day in June 2025 to a peak of 14 million litres per day in December 2025 before easing to 2.5 million litres daily in June 2026. Although production volumes varied significantly from month to month, imported aviation fuel remained absent throughout the entire 13-month period.
Industry consumption remained relatively stable during the first half of 2026, averaging close to Nigeria’s benchmark demand of three million litres per day. Daily aviation fuel usage stood at about 3.5 million litres in January before moderating to 2.9 million litres in June, indicating that domestic supply broadly matched market demand despite production fluctuations.
The transition to locally refined aviation fuel comes after Nigeria expanded domestic refining capacity through new and rehabilitated refineries, reducing dependence on imported petroleum products. Analysts believe the shift could improve product availability, shorten supply chains and help conserve foreign exchange previously spent on fuel imports.
The development also supports the Federal Government’s broader objective of achieving greater energy security through local refining. However, while the elimination of imports represents a significant milestone, the sharp swings in monthly refinery output suggest that maintaining consistent production levels will remain critical to ensuring reliable aviation fuel supply for airlines and the wider aviation sector.
The latest figures follow a period of elevated Jet A-1 prices that significantly increased airline operating costs and pushed domestic airfares higher. A stronger domestic refining base is expected to reduce the industry’s exposure to global supply disruptions and exchange rate pressures, although sustained production stability will be essential to delivering long-term pricing and supply benefits.
