Nigeria's petroleum imports from Malta have surged dramatically, increasing 43 times to $2.08 billion in 2023.

This spike occurs amid the ongoing conflict between the Dangote Group and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

According to Trade Map, a global trade statistics database, Nigeria's importation of petroleum oils and bituminous minerals amounted to $2.8 billion in 2023, marking a 342% rise from $47.5 million in 2013.

Between 2013 and 2016, the values of petroleum imports varied, peaking at $117.01 million in 2015 before plummeting to $13.32 million in 2016. From 2017 to 2022, there were no recorded petroleum imports from Malta.

However, in 2023, there was a significant surge, with imports soaring to $2.08 billion, marking a dramatic increase compared to previous years and the period with no imports.

🇳🇬PETROLEUM OIL IMPORTATION FROM MALTA, 2013-2023

2013: $47.5 million
2014: $59.98 million
2015: $117.01 million
2016: $13.32 million
2017 to 2022: Nil
2023: $2.08 billion#Statisense
(Trademap)

— StatiSense (@StatiSense) July 25, 2024

Concerns over Dangote allegations against NNPC

The unexpected spike in imports from Malta, a relatively small entity in the global oil markets, has garnered attention and sparked speculation.

This follows claims by Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, suggesting that certain Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited personnel, along with oil traders and terminal operators, have established a blending plant in Malta.

According to TheCable, an oil blending plant is a facility with no refining capability but is either capable of producing finished motor gasoline through mechanical blending or blends oxygenates with motor gasoline.

In response to the allegations, Mele Kyari, the NNPC's group chief executive officer, refuted claims of owning a blending plant.

He also denied any knowledge of NNPC employees participating in such activities.

Dangote has been speaking up following allegations made by Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, who claimed that the diesel produced by the Dangote Refinery had a higher sulfur content than imported diesel.

Dangote described these allegations as an attempt to undermine and discredit his refinery.