Libyan crude: Nigeria has imported approximately two million barrels of crude oil from Libya for the first time on record, with the bulk of the cargoes destined for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as local refiners grapple with persistent domestic feedstock shortages.
Industry data showed that Nigeria imported about 64,500 barrels per day of Libyan crude in May 2026, equivalent to roughly two million barrels during the month. The shipment is the first recorded Nigerian import of Libyan crude in available historical data dating back to 2013.
The unprecedented import comes despite Nigeria being Africa’s largest crude oil producer and highlights the growing challenge facing local refiners in securing adequate domestic supplies as a significant portion of the country’s crude output continues to be exported.
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The Dangote Refinery, which has been ramping up operations and diversifying its feedstock sources, is understood to be the principal importer of the Libyan crude. The refinery has increasingly sourced crude from outside Nigeria to supplement local supplies.
Libyan Crude Imports Mark First Shipment to Nigeria
The latest shipment marks a significant shift from developments in 2024 when Libya’s National Oil Corporation denied reports that it was negotiating crude supply deals with any Nigerian refinery.
At the time, the Libyan state oil company said it remained committed to its existing contractual arrangements and the legal mechanisms governing the sale of Libyan crude oil.
The refinery has also imported various grades of crude in 2026, including Angola’s Cabinda and Saxi Batuque grades, Ghana’s Jubilee crude, and, for the first time, cargoes from Libya and Guyana. It recently purchased two cargoes from the United Arab Emirates, representing its first-ever procurement of Middle Eastern crude.
Libyan Crude Imports Highlight Domestic Supply Challenges
The importation underscores the mounting pressure on domestic crude supply obligations. Central Bank of Nigeria figures showed that Nigeria produced about 216.85 million barrels of crude oil between January and May 2026 but exported approximately 148.9 million barrels valued at about N20.22tn during the same period.
The figures indicate that about 68.7 percent of Nigeria’s crude production was exported, leaving around 67.95 million barrels available for domestic refining, operational use, storage, and inventory adjustments.
Local refiners have repeatedly raised concerns over inadequate crude supply despite government policies aimed at prioritizing domestic processing. The shortage has compelled refiners to increasingly look beyond Nigeria’s shores for feedstock.
The imports are taking place amid shifting global energy trade flows caused by geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions affecting international shipping routes. Analysts say these developments have enabled Libya to strengthen its position in African and European crude markets.
Trade data show that Egypt resumed imports of Libyan crude in 2026 after years of absence, while Tunisia also increased purchases. Italy remained Libya’s largest customer in May, importing around 348,000 barrels per day, equivalent to about one-third of the North African country’s crude exports.
The development highlights a paradox in Nigeria’s oil industry: Africa’s leading crude producer is increasingly relying on imported crude supplies to sustain its refining ambitions.
