The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has approved new fuel import permits for seven major oil marketing companies for the July–September 2026 period, as the country faces tightening fuel supply and declining stock levels.
The approvals cover imports of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), or diesel. Companies including Nipco, AA Rano, Matrix Energy, AYM Shafa, Bono, and Pinnacle were among those cleared under the latest round of permits, according to industry sources cited by Vanguard.
Import Volumes Allocated to Key Marketers
For petrol imports, approvals were granted to AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Matrix Energy, Nipco, and Pinnacle. On the diesel side, AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Matrix Energy, and Pinnacle were authorised to import cargoes.
Specific volume allocations were also disclosed. AA Rano and Matrix Energy each received permission to import approximately 180,000 metric tonnes of petrol. Pinnacle was assigned 150,000 metric tonnes, while AYM Shafa got 120,000 metric tonnes. For diesel, AYM Shafa was allocated 60,000 metric tonnes, and Pinnacle was approved for 45,000 metric tonnes.
Policy Response to Tightening Supply
The latest approvals are part of broader regulatory efforts to maintain stability in the downstream market and avoid disruptions in fuel availability. According to NMDPRA data, petrol stock sufficiency dropped to about 16 days in May, while diesel coverage stood at roughly 31 days within the same period. These figures have raised concerns about the resilience of local supply.
The new permits follow an earlier round of petrol import licences issued in May, with the latest round originally expected by mid-June before being delayed. Industry sources suggest additional approvals could still be issued, with total petrol import volumes potentially exceeding 800,000 metric tonnes once the process is completed.
Market Conditions and Future Outlook
The timing of the approvals coincides with a period of softer global prices for petrol and diesel, a development that could improve import margins for Nigerian marketers and support continued fuel inflows in the coming months.
However, Nigeria’s fragile fuel supply outlook has come under renewed pressure as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery considers exporting all its refined products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. Sources within the 650,000-barrels-per-day facility in Lekki, Lagos, say the option is being weighed in response to the continued issuance of petrol import licences, despite official claims to the contrary.
If implemented, the Dangote Refinery's move could tighten domestic supply and revive fears of fuel scarcity across the country. The NMDPRA's latest import permits are thus seen as a critical measure to buffer against potential supply shocks while ensuring that marketers can continue to meet demand.
