Abuja Court Orders Continued Fuel Import Licences as Dangote Case Looms

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to continue issuing and renewing petroleum import licences for Matrix Energy, A.A. Rano and AYM Shafa, provided they meet regulatory conditions. The ruling has intensified the debate over whether Nigeria should keep allowing fuel imports as domestic refining capacity expands. Marketers say competition between importers and local refineries could improve supply and reduce petrol prices, while refinery operators want imports gradually restricted to genuine supply shortages. The decision comes as Dangote Petroleum Refinery pursues a separate case in Lagos challenging import licences issued to NNPC and other marketers. Nigeria imported an average of 95.7 million litres of petrol daily between January and August 2026, underlining the scale of the dispute. The outcome of the parallel court cases could shape fuel supply, competition and pricing for consumers across the country.

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