Nigeria's downstream petroleum regulator has approved a new round of fuel import licences for the third quarter of 2026, allowing selected marketers to bring in petrol and diesel amid concerns over supply adequacy in the domestic market.
According to market intelligence obtained by Argus, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) recently issued import approvals covering the July-to-September period to a number of petroleum marketers.
The development comes as regulators seek to strengthen product availability following a decline in stock sufficiency levels and reduced gasoline production at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Sources familiar with the approvals told Argus that AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Matrix, Nipco and Pinnacle received permits to import Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), while AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Matrix and Pinnacle were also cleared to import Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Industry sources said the latest approvals were intended to prevent potential supply shortages in the coming months.
The issuance follows an earlier batch of petrol import permits released in May. However, sources indicated that the latest approvals were delayed beyond an initial target date of June 15 before being finalised in recent days.
According to figures contained in the report, AA Rano and Matrix each secured approvals to import 180,000 metric tonnes of petrol. Pinnacle received approval for 150,000 metric tonnes, while AYM Shafa obtained clearance for 120,000 metric tonnes.
For diesel imports, AYM Shafa was allocated 60,000 metric tonnes, while Pinnacle received approval for 45,000 metric tonnes.
Sources familiar with the process said additional approvals may still be issued, with total petrol import volumes expected to exceed 800,000 metric tonnes once the exercise is completed.
The fresh permits come against the backdrop of tightening fuel inventory levels.
NMDPRA data showed petrol stock sufficiency declined to 16 days in May, while diesel stock cover fell to 31 days during the same period.
At the same time, gasoline output from the Dangote Refinery weakened despite higher crude processing volumes.
According to the report, petrol production at the refinery declined by 16 per cent to 44.7 million litres per day in May, even as crude throughput increased. Diesel production, however, rose to 24.5 million litres per day.
Market participants attributed part of the reduction in petrol output to maintenance work on the refinery's Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracker (RFCC), a key gasoline-producing unit.
A source close to the refinery said suggestions linking the maintenance exercise to increased exports of low-sulphur straight-run fuel oil were "partially correct" but declined to provide further details.
The latest import approvals also coincide with a softer international pricing environment.
Regional gasoline and diesel benchmarks have declined significantly in recent weeks, potentially improving import economics for marketers seeking to supplement domestic supply.
Industry observers say the lower international prices could encourage more independent marketers to utilise the newly issued permits, particularly as wholesale fuel prices continue to adjust downward across parts of the Nigerian market.
Despite the new approvals, preliminary shipping data suggests marketers may not fully utilise all existing import allocations before the end of the quarter.
The report noted that independent marketers are currently projected to import about 354,000 metric tonnes of petrol during the quarter, well below the volume previously approved by regulators.
Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery is also expected to continue importing fuel components and gasoline cargoes where necessary. As a free-zone enterprise, the refinery does not require conventional import permits but must obtain regulatory clearance before discharging imported products into the domestic market.