The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has approved the importation of 830,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The import permits were reportedly issued on September 18, 2026, to six oil marketing companies as Nigeria continues to balance domestic refining with imported petroleum products.
The companies named in the latest approvals are Matrix Energy, A.A. Rano, AYM Shafa, NIPCO, Pinnacle Oil and Bono Energy. The combined volume represents a significant supply allocation for the October–December period.
The development comes at a time when Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market is undergoing significant changes following the expansion of domestic refining capacity, particularly the growing contribution of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
According to recent industry reporting, domestic refineries supplied a substantial majority of Nigeria’s petrol requirements during the first half of 2026, while imports have continued to serve as an additional source of supply.
The continued approval of petrol imports is therefore expected to remain a major point of discussion within the downstream sector, particularly concerning supply security, market competition and the role of domestic refineries.
The latest approvals also come against the background of an ongoing legal dispute involving Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Federal Government over the issuance and renewal of petroleum import licences.
Dangote Refinery is challenging the continued issuance of such licences, arguing in its court action that imports should be permitted where there is an established shortfall in domestic supply. The Federal High Court case, identified as FHC/L/CS/857/2026, involves the Federal Government, NMDPRA, NNPC Limited and several petroleum marketers.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on October 7, 2026. The outcome could have implications for the regulatory framework governing petroleum imports and the relationship between imported products and Nigeria’s expanding domestic refining industry.
For consumers and downstream operators, the latest NMDPRA approvals mean imported petrol will continue to form part of Nigeria’s fuel supply mix during the final quarter of 2026, alongside products supplied by domestic refineries.
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The development also underscores the evolving nature of Nigeria’s petroleum market, where regulators and industry stakeholders continue to navigate the competing priorities of uninterrupted fuel availability, domestic refining capacity, market competition and reduced dependence on imported petroleum products.
