The Federal Government has approved a fresh round of petrol and diesel imports for the third quarter of 2026 as part of efforts to maintain stable fuel supplies and prevent shortages across Nigeria.
The approvals were granted through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and cover the period from July to September 2026. The move follows concerns about declining fuel stock levels and reduced petrol production at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
According to industry reports, several major downstream operators have received permits to import Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The companies include AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono Energy, Nipco, Matrix Energy, and Pinnacle Oil.
Most of the same companies were also granted approvals to import Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), widely known as diesel. However, Nipco was not included among the firms approved for diesel imports.
The latest approvals come shortly after the regulator issued an earlier batch of petrol import permits in May 2026, covering approximately 720,000 metric tonnes of fuel. Industry sources indicated that many of the companies receiving the new permits were also beneficiaries of previous import allocations.
Reports show that AA Rano and Matrix Energy each secured approval to import 180,000 metric tonnes of petrol. AYM Shafa received approval for 120,000 metric tonnes, while Pinnacle Oil was granted permission to import 150,000 metric tonnes.
For diesel imports, AYM Shafa received approval for 60,000 metric tonnes, while Pinnacle Oil obtained a permit for 45,000 metric tonnes.
Industry sources revealed that the permits were approved primarily to address potential supply gaps in the domestic fuel market. Authorities are reportedly seeking to avoid any disruption in fuel availability as inventories continue to tighten.
Current market data indicates that Nigeria’s petrol stock sufficiency fell to 16 days in May, while diesel stock sufficiency dropped to 31 days. Such declines often trigger precautionary measures from regulators to ensure consumers and businesses continue to have access to fuel.
One of the key reasons behind the lower stock levels is a reduction in petrol production at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Reports indicate that gasoline production at the refinery declined by about 16 percent to 44.7 million litres per day.
Industry insiders attributed the decline to maintenance work on one of the refinery’s major gasoline-producing units, known as the Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracker. While petrol production decreased, diesel production at the refinery increased by four percent, reaching 24.5 million litres per day.
The situation comes at a time when international fuel prices have eased significantly. Lower global prices are expected to make fuel imports more attractive and cost-effective for independent marketers looking to supplement domestic supply.
Despite the approvals, analysts believe not all the authorised volumes may be imported. Some marketers are reportedly facing time constraints because the permits were issued later than expected, leaving limited time to arrange shipments and logistics before the quarter progresses.
Meanwhile, the Dangote refinery is also expected to import some gasoline supplies during the current quarter to support its operations and maintain product availability in the market.
The latest approvals highlight the continued importance of fuel imports in Nigeria’s energy sector, even as local refining capacity expands. While the Dangote refinery has significantly reduced dependence on imported fuel, experts note that imports remain necessary whenever local production falls below demand or when refineries undergo maintenance.
The government maintains that fuel import licences are issued only when needed to protect energy security, maintain adequate stock levels, and prevent fuel scarcity. The latest decision reflects efforts to keep the market stable while Nigeria gradually increases reliance on locally refined petroleum products.
