Federal Government, through Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), don approve licence for six marketers to import 720,000 metric tonnes of petrol, even as debate over Dangote Refinery capacity and fuel import continue to grow for Nigeria oil and gas sector.
According to findings, marketers wey receive the petrol import licences include NIPCO, AA Rano, Matrix, Shafa, Pinnacle and Bono.
Breakdown show say NIPCO go import 120,000 metric tonnes, AA Rano and Matrix go bring 150,000MT each, while Shafa and Pinnacle get approval for 120,000MT each. Bono go import 60,000MT, bringing the total approved volume to 720,000MT.
Meanwhile, the latest approval don raise fresh questions because NMDPRA earlier claim say Dangote Petroleum Refinery now dey supply more than 90 per cent of Nigeria daily petrol consumption.
An official of the agency, wey no want make dem mention im name, confirm say the licences truly dey approved. However, the official insist say government never ban fuel importation at any time.
According to am, energy security remain the major priority of the regulator.
“There was never any embargo on petrol importation. The authority position don always clear. We must make sure say no fuel shortage happen for the country. Local refining and imported fuel must work together to guarantee stable supply,” the official talk.
Earlier this year, NMDPRA officials talk say the agency no issue any petrol import licence for first quarter of 2026 because Dangote Refinery get enough capacity to satisfy local demand.
Former Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Saidu Mohammed, also warn against attempts to return Nigeria to full dependence on imported fuel.
During one meeting for Abuja, Mohammed explain say Nigeria petroleum sector don pass through different stages, from local refining to heavy fuel importation after government refineries collapse.
He say over 200 tank farms spring up during the importation era because many businesses depend on imported petrol.
“Today, we get refinery wey fit meet our requirements, but some people still want make Nigeria remain dependent on imported fuel,” Mohammed say.
However, Dangote Group no agree completely with the agency claims, insisting say import licences still dey issued regularly.
Sources close to Dangote Refinery reveal say the company dey consider exporting more refined products if government continue approving petrol imports.
One senior official for Dangote Group warn say continued import licences fit discourage local refining investment.
“Well, since import licences still dey granted, we fit export all our products,” the source talk.
The official also question why Nigeria no dey fully protect local industries at a time many countries dey defend their domestic markets because of global economic tensions and Middle East crisis.
Furthermore, the source warn say another fuel scarcity fit happen globally if current international tensions continue, stressing say Nigeria suppose strengthen local refining instead of depending heavily on imports.
The Port Harcourt and Warri refineries rehabilitation, alongside Dangote Refinery operations, remain part of government strategy to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and improve Nigeria energy security.
