NMDPRA Grants Six Marketers Permits to Import Petrol

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has granted petrol import permits to six depot owners and petroleum marketers, a move industry players say is aimed at maintaining stability in Nigeria’s downstream fuel market.

Industry sources disclosed that the regulator recently authorised the companies to import about 30,000 metric tonnes each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to help sustain supply and prevent market concentration.

The development comes amid ongoing discussions within the sector about supply dominance following the rapid growth of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in the domestic market.

Recent industry data shows that the refinery accounted for about 92 percent of Nigeria’s petrol supply in February, delivering roughly 36.5 million litres per day, while imports contributed about three million litres daily, bringing total supply to around 39.5 million litres per day.

Currently, the Dangote refinery remains the only large-scale facility producing petrol in Nigeria, as most modular refineries primarily focus on diesel production.

According to industry insiders familiar with regulatory developments, no petrol import permits had been issued under the current NMDPRA leadership until recently, suggesting the approvals may represent a strategic step to maintain supply flexibility and competition as the country’s fuel market evolves.

Analysts say the move could help ensure supply diversity and prevent excessive reliance on a single refinery, while the domestic refining sector continues to expand.