By Damilola Aina
Crude oil deliveries from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to Dangote Oil and Gas Company Limited rose significantly in April 2026, surpassing 1 billion litres for the month, according to tanker movement data.
Shipment records show that NNPC’s trading arm delivered over 1.03 million metric tonnes of crude oil—equivalent to approximately 6.8 million barrels or 1.08 billion litres—through eight cargoes within the period. The volumes reinforce NNPC’s position as a key feedstock supplier to the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote refinery.
The cargoes were sourced from major Nigerian crude streams, including Anyala, Bonga, Odudu, Forcados, Qua Iboe, and Utapate, and discharged via the refinery’s Single Point Mooring systems (SPM-C1 and SPM-C2).
Of the eight shipments, five have been fully discharged, while three remain in progress, indicating a steady inflow of crude into the facility.
The development comes amid ongoing concerns about supply gaps at the refinery, which requires about 19 cargoes monthly. It also follows recent data showing Nigeria imported 55.39 million barrels of petroleum products in January and February 2026.
Detailed breakdowns indicate that early April deliveries included cargoes from Anyala and Bonga crude streams, followed by shipments from Odudu and Forcados. Additional volumes from Bonga, Utapate, and Qua Iboe are at various stages of completion.
In total, NNPC Trading’s contribution of 1,033,332 metric tonnes underscores what industry analysts describe as a sustained effort to support refinery operations.
Beyond crude supply, the Dangote refinery also received several shipments of refined products and blending components from international markets during the month, including gasoline blendstock, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and naphtha sourced from Europe and West Africa.
Supplementary crude deliveries from both international and domestic traders further supported operations, with cargoes arriving from the United States, Cameroon, and Nigerian fields such as Ugo Ocha and Escravos.
Operational data suggest improved efficiency at the refinery’s offshore terminals, with most vessels berthing within one to two days of arrival and departing shortly after discharge.
Located in Lekki, Lagos, the Dangote refinery is Africa’s largest single-train refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The facility is expected to play a critical role in reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products by boosting domestic refining capacity.
NNPC Limited continues to play a central role in supplying crude under evolving commercial arrangements, as reforms in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector progress.
Earlier in April, President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, disclosed that the refinery received 10 crude cargoes from NNPC in March—double the average monthly supply since late 2024—highlighting a recent increase in deliveries aimed at strengthening fuel availability.
