Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has revealed that the country currently has sufficient aviation fuel to last 74 days, dismissing claims by domestic airlines that supply shortages are driving the recent spike in prices.
Gatekeepers News reports that the regulator said its data shows that Nigeria has a stable supply of Jet A1 fuel, contrary to concerns raised by Airline Operators of Nigeria, which had warned of a looming shutdown over rising fuel costs.
The airlines’ group had earlier alleged that the high cost of aviation fuel, which surged sharply in recent weeks, was due to supply constraints and pricing irregularities by marketers. However, the NMDPRA countered that the issue is not a shortage but rather pricing dynamics within the downstream petroleum sector.
The regulator maintained that there is no justification for panic in the aviation sector, noting that available stock levels are adequate to sustain operations in the short to medium term. It also stressed that supply chains remain intact despite the volatility in global oil markets.
This clarification comes amid escalating tensions between airlines and fuel marketers. The Airline Operators of Nigeria had threatened to suspend flight operations nationwide, citing “astronomical and artificial” increases in Jet A1 prices, which have risen by over 300 percent within weeks.
Industry stakeholders said the dispute highlights deeper structural issues in Nigeria’s aviation and petroleum sectors, including distribution costs, foreign exchange pressures, and limited domestic refining capacity.
