The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has issued petrol import licences to six marketers for the importation of 720,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The approved marketers are NIPCO, AA Rano, Matrix, Shafa, Pinnacle, and Bono. The development comes despite claims by the NMDPRA that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery currently supplies more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption.
An official of the NMDPRA, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed that the licences had already been granted.
According to findings, NIPCO is expected to import 120,000 metric tonnes of petrol, while AA Rano and Matrix will import 150,000 metric tonnes each. Shafa and Pinnacle received approvals for 120,000 metric tonnes each, while Bono will import 60,000 metric tonnes.
The approvals have raised questions because the NMDPRA had earlier maintained that there was no need for petrol importation following the start of operations at the Dangote refinery.
The agency had stated that no import licence was issued during the first quarter of 2026 because local refining capacity was sufficient to meet national demand.
However, a senior official of the NMDPRA clarified on Thursday that the authority never placed an embargo on petrol imports. The official stressed that ensuring energy security remains the agency’s top priority.
“There was never an embargo on importation. The position of the authority had always been clear. Energy security for the nation is paramount,” the official said.
The official explained that combining locally refined petrol with imported products would help maintain stable fuel supply across the country and prevent shortages.
In March, the immediate past Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Saidu Mohammed, had declared that Nigeria was no longer importing petrol. He warned against attempts to return the country to heavy dependence on imported fuel.
Mohammed stated that the country had moved beyond the era of import reliance due to the operational success of the Dangote refinery.
According to him, more than 200 tank farms were previously dependent on fuel importation because Nigeria represented a large and profitable market for importers.
He argued that the gains recorded in domestic refining must be protected and sustained.
Meanwhile, President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, disagreed with claims that fuel importation had ended, insisting that import licences were still being issued.
Sources within the Dangote refinery also revealed that the company was considering exporting its refined petroleum products because of the continued approval of import licences.
A senior official at the refinery warned that the company could redirect its products to foreign markets if the government continued approving fuel imports.
The official questioned why Nigeria was not prioritising the protection of local industries at a time when many countries were strengthening support for domestic production amid global economic tensions.
