The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has put a halt in supplying petrol to marketers that continue to import the product, putting its domestic refining push on a collision course with Nigeria’s continued petrol import programme.
The refinery’s latest distribution decision comes barely two weeks after the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) approved import permits covering about 830,000 metric tonnes of petrol for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Q4 permits were approved for six marketers; Matrix Energy, A.A. Rano, AYM Shafa, NIPCO, Pinnacle Oil and Bono Energy to help prevent supply gaps during the final quarter of the year.
NMDPRA spokesperson George Ene-Ita confirmed the approvals, saying they were intended to ensure adequate supply during the critical end-of-year period.
Dangote Refinery’s position now means marketers authorised to bring petrol into the country could face a different supply arrangement at the refinery, as the plant prioritises marketers that do not import the product.
The refinery has previously argued against the continued issuance of petrol import licences as its domestic production expands, maintaining that its output is sufficient to meet local demand.
The latest development comes as domestic refining has already begun to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petrol. NMDPRA data cited in recent industry reporting showed domestic PMS receipts rising from 25.8 million litres per day in July to 35.9 million litres per day in August, while imports fell from 19.7 million litres to 14.6 million litres per day over the same period.
Yet imported petrol remains part of the Federal Government’s supply strategy, with the latest 830,000-tonne allocation extending that role into the fourth quarter.
The disagreement has also moved into the courts.
On September 28, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered NMDPRA to continue issuing, extending or renewing petroleum products import licences for Matrix Energy, A.A. Rano and AYM Shafa, provided they meet the relevant statutory and regulatory requirements. The court held that the regulator is required to promote competition in the downstream petroleum market.
Dangote’s own legal challenge to the continued issuance of petrol import licences is scheduled for further hearing on October 7.
The refinery’s decision to restrict supplies to importing marketers therefore comes as Nigeria enters the final quarter with two parallel approaches to petrol supply: expanding domestic refining and retaining imports as a buffer against possible shortages.
The outcome of that tension could determine how much of Nigeria’s petrol demand is supplied by local refineries and how much continues to come through imports in the months ahead.