The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dragged the Federal Government to court over fresh fuel import licences issued to several oil marketing companies in Nigeria.
The refinery filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the decision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, to approve new petrol import licences despite rising local refining capacity.
According to industry data and regulatory documents, the licences granted in 2026 covered the importation of between 600,000 and 720,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, commonly known as petrol.
The approved marketers include NIPCO, AA Rano, Matrix Energy, Shafa Energy, Pinnacle Oil and Gas, and Bono Energy. Reports showed that each marketer received allocations ranging from 60,000 to 150,000 metric tonnes.
The development marks a major shift in policy after the NMDPRA suspended the issuance of fresh fuel import permits in February and March 2026, citing improved local refining output.
Data released by the regulator showed that Dangote Refinery supplied about 36.5 million litres of petrol daily in February 2026, accounting for more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s domestic fuel consumption. Petrol imports reportedly dropped to about three million litres daily during the same period.
In the lawsuit, Dangote Refinery argued that the continued issuance and renewal of fuel import licences violate the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, which permits fuel imports only when local production is insufficient.
The company maintained that continued importation threatens local refining operations and discourages investments in Nigeria’s domestic petroleum sector.
The decision by the regulator has sparked mixed reactions across the oil and gas industry. While some stakeholders support the move in the interest of competition and supply security, others believe unrestricted imports could weaken local refining investments and increase Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.
Speaking in an interview with the Chief Executive Officer of Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, Nicolai Tangen, President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, alleged that powerful fuel importers were still working against the refinery’s operations.
Dangote described the group as a “mafia” that feared the refinery would disrupt the long-standing fuel import business in Nigeria.
According to him, many individuals benefitted heavily from Nigeria’s fuel subsidy regime and viewed the refinery as a threat to their profits.
He said the refinery project, which began in 2013, faced several obstacles, including delays in land acquisition and resistance from entrenched interests in the oil sector.
Dangote explained that Nigeria spent nearly $10 billion annually on fuel subsidies, creating huge profits for traders, importers and shipping operators involved in fuel importation.
He added that some import licence holders earned billions of naira from the old system and opposed efforts to strengthen local refining.
Dangote said he remained committed to ending fuel scarcity and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
“We looked at oil. Africa produces oil, but many countries don’t refine it. They export crude and import refined products, which drains foreign reserves,” he said.
He also recalled how Nigerians spent long hours in fuel queues despite the country being one of Africa’s major crude oil producers.
According to him, the refinery was established to improve energy security in Nigeria and across Africa.
“We launched the project in 2013. Some obstacles were created by entrenched interests in the oil business trying to stop us from solving these problems. But we stayed focused,” Dangote stated.
The case is expected to test the Federal Government’s fuel import policy and the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act in relation to local refining capacity.
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