NMDPRA Issues Licences for 720,000 Metric Tonnes of Petrol

Eight vessels carrying approximately 164,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products are headed to Nigerian ports, according to the Daily Shipping Position obtained on Sunday, raising fresh questions about the country’s dependence on imported refined fuel despite the ongoing operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The incoming shipments comprise 82,000 metric tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and 81,882 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), with the vessels expected to discharge at terminals across Lagos, Delta, and Cross River states.

Four diesel tankers are bound for the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal in Lagos. The vessel HUDSON arrived at KLT Phase 2 on May 8 with 25,000 metric tonnes, while ALINDA berthed at KLT Phase 3A the same day with 10,000 metric tonnes. PINARELLO arrived on May 9 with 20,000 metric tonnes, and LESTE was expected at KLT Phase 3A on May 10 with 27,000 metric tonnes.

For petrol, UM BALWA was expected at KLT Phase 3A on May 10 with 32,000 metric tonnes. AFRICAN MARVEL was scheduled at Koko Port in Warri on the same date carrying 20,000 metric tonnes, while KINGIS was expected at the AYM Shafa terminal with 15,000 metric tonnes. In Calabar, SL AREMU was billed to berth on May 9 with 14,882 metric tonnes for importer North West.

The shipments follow recent import licences issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to six marketers for a combined 720,000 metric tonnes of petrol. The marketers are NIPCO (120,000MT), AA Rano (150,000MT), Matrix (150,000MT), Shafa (120,000MT), Pinnacle (120,000MT), and Bono (60,000MT).

The development has deepened an ongoing public dispute about Nigeria’s fuel supply policy. The NMDPRA had previously claimed that no import licences were issued in the first quarter of 2026, stating that the Dangote refinery now supplies over 90 percent of Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption and that domestic capacity was sufficient.

However, a top NMDPRA official has since walked back that position, stressing that importation was never formally banned. “There was never an embargo on importation. The position of the authority had always been clear. Energy security for the nation is paramount. The target has always been to do everything to ensure that there are no supply gaps in the system. So, the dual input of domestic refining and other sources would combine to give us the required supply stability,” the official said.

The clarification contrasts with an earlier position taken by former NMDPRA chief executive Saidu Mohammed, who warned in March against pushing Nigeria back into an era of heavy petrol importation and called for sustaining domestic refining gains.

Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote had publicly disputed Mohammed’s claims, insisting that import licences were still being granted. Sources close to the refinery had indicated the company was considering exporting its refined products in response to continued importation approvals.

The controversy extends further back. Former NMDPRA pioneer chief executive Farouk Ahmed resigned following a public fallout with Dangote over import licences, with Dangote accusing him of issuing licences while refinery tanks were full. In December 2025, Dangote formally petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, alleging Ahmed spent approximately $7 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. There are also widespread speculations that Mohammed’s removal may have been connected to similar tensions.

Industry observers note that continued imports suggest Nigeria’s domestic refining output remains insufficient to fully meet national demand, despite significant investment in local capacity.