FG Approves Fresh Petrol, Diesel Import Permits to Avert Supply Shortages

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has approved a new round of petrol and diesel import permits for the third quarter of 2026 as part of efforts to prevent fuel supply shortages across the country.

According to a report by Punch Newspaper, which cited global energy intelligence firm Argus Media, the permits cover the period from July to September 2026 and were granted to major downstream operators amid concerns over declining fuel stock levels and reduced petrol output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Companies approved to import Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, include AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono Energy, Nipco, Matrix Energy and Pinnacle Oil. The same firms, except Nipco, were also granted permits to import Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.

Industry sources quoted in the report indicated that AA Rano and Matrix Energy each received approval to import 180,000 metric tonnes of petrol, while AYM Shafa was allocated 120,000 metric tonnes and Pinnacle Oil 150,000 metric tonnes.

For diesel imports, AYM Shafa received approval for 60,000 metric tonnes, while Pinnacle Oil secured a permit for 45,000 metric tonnes.

The approvals follow an earlier batch of petrol import permits issued in May, covering about 720,000 metric tonnes. Regulatory sources said the latest permits were issued to address projected fuel supply gaps and ensure market stability.

According to Argus Media, petrol stock sufficiency in Nigeria declined to 16 days in May, while diesel stock sufficiency fell to 31 days. The report attributed the reduction partly to a drop in petrol production at the Dangote Refinery, where gasoline output reportedly declined by 16 per cent to 44.7 million litres per day.

Market sources linked the lower production levels to maintenance activities on the refinery’s Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracker, one of its key gasoline-producing units.

The report also noted that declining international fuel prices could make imports more attractive to independent marketers. Despite the new permits, however, analysts believe actual import volumes may fall below approved levels due to the timing of the approvals and logistical constraints.

The NMDPRA has maintained that fuel import licences are only issued when necessary to safeguard energy security, maintain adequate stock levels and prevent fuel scarcity.

The latest approvals highlight the continued role of imports in Nigeria’s fuel supply chain despite ongoing efforts to boost local refining capacity through facilities such as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.