Aliko Dangote says his refinery has had to increasingly rely on crude oil imports from the United States due to inconsistent supply from Nigerian producers, despite a national push to prioritise local refining.
During a visit by the Technical Committee of the One-Stop Shop for the naira-for-crude initiative, Dangote disclosed that his $20 billion refinery has faced persistent difficulties securing adequate local crude, forcing a pivot to US-sourced feedstock.
“However, he noted that due to a shortage of domestic crude oil, the refinery has increasingly relied on imports from the United States to meet its needs in recent months,” a statement from the company read on Thursday, June 19.
Shipping data compiled by Bloomberg shows that from April to July 2025, the refinery is projected to import 17.65 million barrels of crude, primarily West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Midland.
This grade, known for its light and sweet qualities, has become the preferred choice, with US imports now accounting for one-third of the refinery’s crude intake this year.
The company has already received 3.65 million barrels of US crude in the past two months, transported by 21 vessels docking at Lagos ports between April 6 and May 28. Two of the largest deliveries arrived on May 23, each carrying 273,454 metric tonnes.
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Dangote praised the naira-for-crude initiative for helping stabilise the naira and reducing product prices, but pointed out that local crude output has fallen short of the refinery’s rising demand.
From December 2024 to June 2025, the refinery imported 27.1 million barrels from the US, compared to 46.2 million barrels from Nigeria.
A Dangote spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg that the shift towards US imports reflects both rising processing volumes and declining availability of Nigerian crude.
Although the refinery has sourced oil from Brazil, Angola, and Libya in the past, US crude now leads its imports.
The refinery, built to process 650,000 barrels per day, is designed for flexibility across multiple crude types. Yet, Dangote’s team says supply consistency remains essential for full-scale operations.