The Federal Government has granted approval for six fuel marketers to import a total of 720,000 metric tonnes of petrol into Nigeria. This decision comes at a time when the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is reportedly meeting more than 90 percent of the nation's petrol requirements. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) clarified that fuel importation has never been outlawed and that a combination of imports and local refining is essential to avert potential fuel shortages.
Approved Marketers and Import Volumes
The approved companies include NIPCO, AA Rano, Matrix Energy, Shafa Energy, Pinnacle Oil and Gas, and Bono Energy. According to detailed reports, NIPCO, Shafa, and Pinnacle are each authorized to import 120,000 metric tonnes. AA Rano and Matrix Energy will bring in 150,000 metric tonnes each, while Bono Energy has been permitted to import 60,000 metric tonnes. This brings the combined import volume to 720,000 metric tonnes.
Questions Raised by Fresh Licences
The issuance of these import licences has sparked widespread reactions, particularly because the regulatory agency had previously indicated that petrol imports were no longer necessary due to increased local refining capacity, especially from the Dangote refinery. Earlier in the year, the NMDPRA maintained that no import licences were issued during the first quarter of 2026, as the Dangote refinery could adequately meet Nigeria's fuel demand. However, a senior agency official clarified that petrol importation was never prohibited. The official emphasized that the government's primary focus remains on ensuring an uninterrupted fuel supply across the country. Combining locally refined fuel with imported products is part of a strategy to prevent shortages and maintain energy security nationwide.
NMDPRA Defends Dual Supply Strategy
The regulator stressed that maintaining a balance between domestic refining and fuel imports would help stabilize the downstream petroleum sector. In March, former NMDPRA chief executive Saidu Mohammed stated that Nigeria was making significant progress in reducing dependence on imported petrol due to improvements in local refining capacity. He also warned against attempts to return the country to large-scale fuel importation, insisting that Nigeria must protect the gains achieved through domestic refining initiatives.
Nigeria's Shift from Import Dependence
Mohammed explained that Nigeria's petroleum industry has undergone several phases over the years. The country once relied heavily on local refineries before the collapse of state-owned facilities pushed Nigeria into massive fuel importation. He noted that the era of heavy imports led to the rise of more than 200 tank farms along Nigeria's coastal areas, reflecting the country's strong dependence on foreign fuel supply. Despite the growing output from the Dangote refinery, the latest approvals indicate that the government is still relying on a mix of local production and imports to guarantee nationwide fuel availability.
Dangote Explains Why Fuel Prices May Remain High
In related news, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird, stated that petrol prices may not decline even when the refinery operates at full capacity. He cited volatility in global oil markets and rising supply chain costs as key factors. Bird made these remarks during a media chat, explaining that the refinery operates within the international commodities market, which directly influences the cost of crude oil and refined products. According to him, the refinery purchases crude oil at global benchmark prices, including crude sourced locally under the crude-for-naira programme.
