Abuja, March 19, 2026 –
Nigeria could experience severe fuel scarcity within the next 48 hours if urgent actions are not taken, the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has warned.
At a press briefing at the National Assembly, Committee Chairman Ikenga Ugochinyere raised the alarm, describing the country’s fuel supply situation as “a looming crisis that could spark long queues at filling stations, rising pump prices, and widespread economic strain.”
Ugochinyere highlighted that the Dangote Refinery, central to Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency efforts, is currently operating far below capacity. While it is allocated 21 cargoes of crude oil and needs at least 15 cargoes for optimal operation, it is receiving only five.
“This shortfall is already undermining refining capacity and threatens nationwide fuel availability,” he said, noting that substandard crude grades are also being supplied to domestic refineries, further impacting efficiency.
The committee further criticized the involvement of international intermediaries in crude oil sales, who inflate costs for local refiners. “For every barrel priced at $100, Nigerian refineries end up paying $118, with the extra $18 going to middlemen in London and Dubai,” Ugochinyere said. “This exploitative system is unsustainable and drives fuel price instability for everyday Nigerians.”
The lawmakers urged strict enforcement of the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and called for a review of crude quality standards. Ugochinyere also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to issue directives ensuring compliance and safeguarding the domestic energy supply chain.
While advising Nigerians to remain calm and avoid panic buying, he warned that failure to resolve these bottlenecks within 48 hours could trigger severe shortages, increased transport costs, and a worsening cost-of-living crisis.
This warning comes amid a global energy crunch driven by tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel, which has sent crude oil prices soaring.
