Dangote Refinery has taken legal action against the Nigerian government, challenging recent petrol import licences issued to several marketers and to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). In a filing submitted to the Federal High Court in Lagos, the 650,000‑barrel‑per‑day plant asked the court to set aside the licences granted or renewed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The dispute stems from NMDPRA’s decision to issue fresh import permits despite Dangote’s claim that it already satisfies roughly 79 percent of the country’s domestic fuel demand. Data released by the regulator indicated that in April the refinery supplied that share of Nigeria’s petrol consumption. Industry analysts have warned that the new licences could undermine the viability of the country’s nascent refining sector, which the government has presented as a cornerstone of its “Nigerian‑first” policy.
Dangote’s petition argues that the licences contravene the law, which allows fuel imports only when domestic supply is insufficient to meet demand. The refinery contends that the May licences were issued without regard for its production capacity and without consulting the regulator’s own industrial data. It further asserts that the licences give importers a competitive advantage; importers are reportedly selling petrol at about N1,285‑N1,295 per litre, while Dangote’s refinery offers the same product at roughly N1,200 per litre.
The legal challenge follows an earlier lawsuit filed by Dangote in 2025, which was withdrawn after a federal intervention. The current case seeks an injunction that would halt the newly issued import permits to both NNPCL and private traders.
The outcome of the case could have significant implications for Nigeria’s energy security and the government’s broader industrialisation agenda. If the court rules in favour of Dangote, it may reinforce the regulatory framework that prioritises domestic refining over imports. Conversely, a ruling that upholds the licences could signal a more pragmatic approach to bridging any short‑term supply gaps, even as the country works toward greater self‑sufficiency.
The court’s decision is expected in the coming weeks, and will be closely watched by policymakers, investors and consumers across the region.
