FG issues fresh petrol import permits to prevent supply shortages

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, has approved fresh imports of petrol and diesel for the third quarter of 2026 (July–September) as part of efforts to prevent potential fuel shortages and maintain stability in domestic supply.

According to a report by global energy intelligence firm Argus Media, the approvals were granted to major downstream operators amid declining fuel stock levels and concerns over reduced petrol output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The latest permits cover imports of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), known as diesel.

According to the report, companies approved to import petrol include AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono Energy, Nipco, Matrix Energy, and Pinnacle Oil.

For diesel imports, approvals were granted to AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono Energy, Matrix Energy, and Pinnacle Oil.

According to regulatory and industry sources quoted in the report, some of the approved companies had also received earlier import permits.

“These are some of the same ones that previously received the PMS permits,” a regulatory source was quoted as saying.

Import allocations reportedly include 180,000 metric tonnes each for AA Rano and Matrix Energy, while AYM Shafa received approval for 120,000 metric tonnes and Pinnacle Oil secured 150,000 metric tonnes.

For diesel, AYM Shafa obtained approval for 60,000 metric tonnes while Pinnacle Oil received approval for 45,000 metric tonnes.

Supply concerns and stock levels

The approvals come as fuel inventories show signs of tightening across the country.

According to data referenced in the report, petrol stock sufficiency declined by 1.7 days to 16 days in May, while diesel stock sufficiency dropped by eight days to 31 days during the same period.

A regulatory source explained that the approvals were issued to prevent possible disruptions in supply.

“The permits were issued to head off projected shortfalls in supply,” the source said.

The source added that approvals were still ongoing and final import volumes had not been determined, though total petrol approvals could exceed 800,000 metric tonnes.

Refinery production and market outlook

The report linked the tightening fuel supply to lower petrol production at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

According to figures cited by Argus Media, gasoline production at the refinery dropped by 16 per cent to 44.7 million litres per day, while diesel production increased by four per cent to 24.5 million litres daily.

Industry participants attributed the reduction in petrol output to maintenance activities on the refinery’s Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracker unit, a major gasoline-producing component of the facility.

The report also noted that falling international fuel prices may make imports more attractive to independent marketers.

Despite the approvals, vessel-tracking data cited in the report suggested that marketers may not fully utilise approved volumes because permits were issued midway into the quarter.

The approvals underscore the continued role of fuel imports in supporting Nigeria’s energy supply despite expanding local refining capacity.

The NMDPRA has consistently maintained that import licences remain necessary whenever domestic output falls below market demand or when local refineries undergo maintenance.