The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has suspended the issuance of new petrol import licences for the second straight month.
No licences were issued in February or so far in March, as local production now fully meets national demand, the regulator said.
NMDPRA spokesperson George Ene-Ita confirmed: “There is no need to import because local production is meeting supply.”
The Dangote Refinery supplied an average of 36.5 million litres of petrol per day in February, covering the bulk of Nigeria’s 56.9 million litres daily consumption.
Imports fell to just about 3 million litres per day — the lowest in years.
Major marketers including TotalEnergies, Conoil, and MRS Nigeria have had their import permits suspended or revoked.
The Crude Oil Refineries Association of Nigeria (CORAN) welcomed the move, saying it protects local refining.
The decision enforces the Petroleum Industry Act’s “produce locally first” rule, saving foreign exchange while boosting domestic refiners.
Petrol prices remain above ₦1,200 per litre in many areas due to global factors, not supply shortages.
The NMDPRA will monitor the market monthly and resume licensing if any shortfall occurs.
Nigeria’s long-sought goal of ending fuel imports is now within reach.
Administrator and Writer
