MURIC Condemns NMDPRA Over Fresh 830,000-Tonne Petrol Import Approval

MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola

MURIC Condemns NMDPRA Over Fresh 830,000-Tonne Petrol Import Approval

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the decision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to approve the importation of 830,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, for the fourth quarter of 2026.

MURIC described the approval as “unnecessary, wasteful, counterproductive, regressive and unpatriotic”, arguing that Nigeria should be giving greater priority to its growing domestic refining capacity, particularly the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

In a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, 2026, the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, questioned the rationale behind continued petrol imports at a time when local refining capacity has expanded significantly.

The NMDPRA recently approved the import permits for six major petroleum marketers ahead of the final quarter of the year. The beneficiaries reportedly include Matrix Energy, AA Rano, AYM Shafa, NIPCO, Pinnacle Oil and Bono Energy.

According to MURIC, the latest development is difficult to reconcile with the increasing contribution of domestic refineries to Nigeria’s petrol supply.

“MURIC considers this move as unnecessary, wasteful, counterproductive, regressive and unpatriotic. We therefore condemn it in the strongest terms,” Akintola said.

The group argued that the decision was particularly troubling because of the reported capacity of the Dangote Refinery to supply the Nigerian market.

MURIC said the refinery had repeatedly expressed concern over continued petrol imports, despite its ability to produce substantial volumes of PMS for domestic consumption.

In August, Dangote Refinery said the continued arrival of imported petrol was creating uncertainty in its production planning and inventory management. The refinery said imported PMS accounted for about 43 per cent of the petrol supplied to Nigeria in July and maintained that it had sufficient capacity to meet and exceed domestic requirements.

MURIC therefore questioned why Nigeria would continue importing a product that a major Nigerian refinery is capable of producing.

“Dangote refinery exports fuel to foreign countries including Europe. It should be our pride. How can Nigerian petroleum authorities be importing the same fuel from outside?” the group asked.

The organisation added: “This is not rocket science. It is simple logic. It doesn’t add up. It is laughable. NMDPRA is taking coal to Newcastle.”

However, the NMDPRA has explained that the latest approvals are intended to prevent possible supply shortages during the fourth quarter, particularly as demand is expected to rise during the Christmas and end-of-year travel period. A spokesperson for the authority confirmed that the permits were approved to ensure that there were no supply gaps.

The development has also generated different reactions within the petroleum industry.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said the regulator was acting within its statutory responsibility by issuing the import licences, while stressing that the real issue would be whether the imported products could compete favourably with locally refined petrol.

IPMAN said the imports could benefit consumers if the landed cost was lower than the price of locally refined petrol.

MURIC, however, maintained that government agencies should work more closely with local refineries instead of continuing to rely on imported petroleum products.

The organisation also cited the need to encourage domestic investment, reduce dependence on foreign refined products and maximise the economic benefits of Nigeria’s refining capacity.

The latest approval comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between Dangote Refinery and the petroleum regulator over the issuance of petrol import licences. Dangote has challenged the continued granting of such licences, arguing that imports should not be encouraged where domestic supply is sufficient. The case remains before the courts.

Available NMDPRA data also show that domestic refineries have become increasingly important to Nigeria’s petrol supply. In the first quarter of 2026, domestic refineries reportedly accounted for about 76.7 per cent of total petrol supply, while petrol imports fell significantly compared with the previous year.

MURIC urged the NMDPRA and other agencies in the petroleum sector to review the continued importation of refined fuel and strengthen cooperation with Nigerian refineries.

“We expect NMDPRA and all other government agencies in the petroleum industry to cooperate with our local refineries. The importation of refined fuel should stop forthwith,” the group said.

The controversy is likely to keep attention focused on the balance between competition, fuel security and the protection of Nigeria’s emerging domestic refining industry, particularly as the country enters the final quarter of 2026.Suggested alternative headlines: