Nigeria’s expenditure on importing Jet A-1 fuel dropped dramatically by 87% in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1’24), falling to N31 billion from N239.18 billion in the previous quarter, according to recent data.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report on ‘Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics’ for Q1’24 highlighted that jet fuel remained one of the top traded products in West Africa during this period.
Jet A-1, a type of kerosene fuel used in various aircraft, including civil and military jets, helicopters, and some piston engines, saw a significant reduction in import costs.
In March 2024, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, had expressed concerns about the rising cost of Jet A-1, which had surged to about N1,200 per litre compared to the N360 per litre budgeted by the Nigerian Air Force. He had appealed to the National Assembly to allow the Air Force to import Jet A-1 fuel to support its operations.
The sharp reduction in import expenditure follows a recent shipment of jet fuel from Dangote Refinery to Europe. The inaugural shipment, which left from the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos on May 27th aboard the “Doric Breeze,” is heading to Rotterdam, Netherlands. This shipment, containing 45,000 metric tons of jet fuel, was part of a tender awarded to BP, with Spanish refiner Cepsa securing additional quantities.
This development is expected to alleviate the high cost of jet fuel within Nigeria and support local distribution efforts.
News Editor 
Hyelsinta Hassan