Nigerian court orders regulator to continue issuing fuel import licences

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to continue issuing and renewing fuel import licences for three independent oil marketers: Matrix Energy, AA Rano Nigeria Limited, and AYM Shafa Limited.

Presiding Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the regulator’s refusal to process these applications constituted ‘direct non-compliance’ with the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021. The court held that the NMDPRA acted beyond its legal authority by withholding licences from companies that meet statutory requirements.

The ruling intensifies a national debate regarding Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector as domestic refining capacity expands. While marketers argue that competition between local refiners and importers can improve petrol availability and affordability, the development coincides with a separate legal challenge by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos regarding the continued issuance of import licences.