Over the past two years, Nigeria’s petrol consumption has taken a nosedive—dropping by a staggering 28%. The latest data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) reveals a sharp fall from 68.353 million litres per day in June 2023 to just 49.277 million litres daily by June 2025, sparking alarm among downstream operators. Vanguard News
What’s Behind the Drop?
This crisis stems from President Bola Tinubu officially scrapping the long-standing petrol subsidy during his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023. That declaration—“subsidy is gone”—triggered an immediate price shock: petrol shot up from ₦195 to ₦448 per litre in Lagos, and from ₦197 to ₦557 per litre in Abuja, later climbing to ₦617 per litre. Vanguard NewsLegit.ng – Nigeria news.
With the Dangote Refinery ramping up, marketers have tweaked prices almost weekly, leading to relentless volatility. Vanguard News
Empty Forecourts, Brooding Attendants
At many filling stations, attendants now stand around twiddling their thumbs as cars vanish. Customers are making fuel decisions days before arriving, often opting to skip topping off unless absolutely necessary. Vanguard NewsLegit.ng – Nigeria news.
Take Abuja’s RYBL Services in Karshi: manager Ibrahim Gambo lamented that it now takes two full months to sell a 30,000-litre tanker—forcing them to slash staffing from three pump attendants to just one. Vanguard News
Price Sensitivity Across Regions
In Lagos (Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Ajegunle, Orile), independent marketers confirm that demand has cratered. Customers who once queued by the jerry-can now only show up when gasping for it. Vanguard News
However, outlets tied to the Dangote Refinery—like MRS in Amuwo—still attract crowds. Their price (₦865 per litre) remains noticeably lower than competitors (up to ₦890), making them a convenient alternative. Vanguard News
In Asaba (Delta State) and Nasarawa, similar patterns unfold— quieter stations everywhere, but those offering slightly lower rates continue to draw vehicles, tricycles, and okadas. Vanguard News
Stations in Kano and Kaduna aren’t faring any better. Many are idle, though those with competitive pricing and even CNG conversions are seeing a slight uptick. Vanguard NewsLegit.ng – Nigeria news.
A Rough Patch for Marketers
Chief Chinedu Ukadike, PR Officer for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), confirms it’s a brutal time for independent fuel sellers. He cites soaring pump prices, a shrinking consumer base, and a shift to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as major culprits. Vanguard NewsLegit.ng – Nigeria news.
Over the past two years, Nigeria’s petrol consumption has taken a nosedive—dropping by a staggering 28%. The latest data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) reveals a sharp fall from 68.353 million litres per day in June 2023 to just 49.277 million litres daily by June 2025, sparking alarm among downstream operators. Vanguard News
What’s Behind the Drop?
This crisis stems from President Bola Tinubu officially scrapping the long-standing petrol subsidy during his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023. That declaration—“subsidy is gone”—triggered an immediate price shock: petrol shot up from ₦195 to ₦448 per litre in Lagos, and from ₦197 to ₦557 per litre in Abuja, later climbing to ₦617 per litre. Vanguard NewsLegit.ng – Nigeria news.
With the Dangote Refinery ramping up, marketers have tweaked prices almost weekly, leading to relentless volatility. Vanguard News
Empty Forecourts, Brooding Attendants
At many filling stations, attendants now stand around twiddling their thumbs as cars vanish. Customers are making fuel decisions days before arriving, often opting to skip topping off unless absolutely necessary. Vanguard NewsLegit.ng – Nigeria news.
Take Abuja’s RYBL Services in Karshi: manager Ibrahim Gambo lamented that it now takes two full months to sell a 30,000-litre tanker—forcing them to slash staffing from three pump attendants to just one. Vanguard News
Price Sensitivity Across Regions
In Lagos (Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Ajegunle, Orile), independent marketers confirm that demand has cratered. Customers who once queued by the jerry-can now only show up when gasping for it. Vanguard News
However, outlets tied to the Dangote Refinery—like MRS in Amuwo—still attract crowds. Their price (₦865 per litre) remains noticeably lower than competitors (up to ₦890), making them a convenient alternative. Vanguard News
In Asaba (Delta State) and Nasarawa, similar patterns unfold— quieter stations everywhere, but those offering slightly lower rates continue to draw vehicles, tricycles, and okadas. Vanguard News
Stations in Kano and Kaduna aren’t faring any better. Many are idle, though those with competitive pricing and even CNG conversions are seeing a slight uptick. Vanguard NewsLegit.ng – Nigeria news.
A Rough Patch for Marketers
Chief Chinedu Ukadike, PR Officer for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), confirms it’s a brutal time for independent fuel sellers. He cites soaring pump prices, a shrinking consumer base, and a shift to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as major culprits. Vanguard NewsLegit.ng – Nigeria news.
Summary
Nigerians are using a lot less petrol—28% less between June 2023 and June 2025. The removal of subsidies triggered steep price hikes, discouraging users from buying unless absolutely necessary. As a result, many fuel stations across the country are seeing fewer customers, leading to idle attendants, reduced staffing, and slower turnover—though competitively priced stations like MRS linked to the Dangote Refinery still manage to stay afloat.