The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dragged the Federal Government to court over the issuance of fresh petrol import licences to several oil marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), despite increasing local refining capacity.
On May 15, 2026, court filings revealed that the refinery asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to nullify the import permits approved by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), arguing that the licences violate existing petroleum regulations and negatively affect local refining operations.
According to reports, Dangote Refinery maintained that petrol importation should only be permitted when local production is unable to meet domestic demand.
The company also argued that continued fuel imports undermine investments made in Nigeria’s refining sector and discourage local production.
The legal action comes amid renewed tensions in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry following the approval of import licences reportedly granted to six major marketers.
Industry regulators, however, insist that fuel imports remain necessary to maintain adequate supply and prevent shortages across the country.
Security and energy analysts believe the case could significantly shape the future of Nigeria’s fuel market, competition policies, and the government’s commitment to supporting domestic refining capacity. Starnews.
