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.
Gatekeepers News reports that the regulator issued the import licences to six oil marketing companies as part of measures to maintain adequate fuel supply through the final quarter of the year.
The beneficiaries are Matrix Energy, AA Rano, AYM Shafa, NIPCO, Pinnacle Oil and Bono Energy.
A source at the NMDPRA confirmed the approval, saying the authority had authorised 830,000 tonnes of petrol imports for Q4.
“The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has approved 830,000 tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) imports for the fourth quarter of 2026,” the source said.
George Ene-Ita, spokesperson for the NMDPRA, also confirmed the approval, saying the licences were issued to prevent supply gaps during the critical end-of-year period.
The latest approval is coming despite increased domestic refining capacity, particularly from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has been supplying petrol to the Nigerian market.
It also comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between Dangote Refinery and the NMDPRA over the continued issuance of petrol import licences to marketers.
Dangote Refinery has argued that import licences should only be issued where domestic production is insufficient to meet national demand. The refinery previously instituted legal proceedings challenging the regulator’s decision to grant such licences.
The latest allocation is understood to be similar to the volume and beneficiaries approved for the third quarter. The licences were reportedly issued on September 18.
The approval also comes amid concerns over developments in the international fuel market and the need to ensure adequate petroleum supplies as demand rises towards the end of the year.
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said the impact of the imports would depend on whether the licensed companies are able to bring in petrol at prices that can compete with locally refined products.
