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By Adewale Sanyaolu
Petroleum marketers, yesterday, expressed optimism over indications by the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority(NMDPRA), to resume issuance of import permits for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also called petrol and diesel by mid February.
The decision to resume issuance of fuel import permits, which was hitherto halted, may not be unconnected to a possible tightening of supply in the value chain.
According to sources quoted by Argus, the NMDPRA is expected to begin approving new import licences later this month or by early March latest. The move would mark the first approvals for 2026, following a regulatory pause aimed at limiting imports strictly to volumes required to cover shortfalls in domestic refinery output.
The sources told Argus that the delay in issuing permits was partly linked to leadership changes at the authority, following the exit of its former chief executive, Farouk Ahmed, on December 17. The transition, they said, had a knock-on effect on internal decision-making, slowing approvals during the early part of the year.
National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Mr. Billy Gillis Harry, said the decision to resume issuance of fuel import permit is a welcome development, insisting that, in as much as the country encourages local refining, there is nothing wrong in liberalizing importation.
He added that allowing both local refining and petroleum products imports creates an avenue for market forces to determine what the supply and demand equation should be.
“Dangote refinery has been exporting petroleum products to other countries. Saudi Arabia recently imported petroleum products from Dangote refinery.
Those countries importing the products also have refineries.
There are always shortages in the local supply environment and that is why countries leave room for product importation in order not to have product shortages that would lead to an emergency.
The PETROAN President added that importing petroleum products is not in any way to downplay the importance of Dangote refinery because it is a massive boost for Nigeria.
“Myself as the National President of PETROAN and on behalf of all members congratulate on this giant stride and patriotic move but all we are saying is that all of us should grow together,”.
Market conditions have also shifted as crude receipts at the Dangote refinery declined to about 250,000 barrels per day in January, down from roughly 350,000 bpd in December, marking a 16-month low, the report said.
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The fall in deliveries suggested lower run rates at the facility’s crude distillation unit, increasing the likelihood of refined product shortfalls that imports may be needed to bridge. Argus had earlier reported maintenance activities on key processing units, including the petrol-producing Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) and the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU).
In December 2025, the Dangote refinery failed to meet up with its planned domestic supply of 50 million liters per day
According to the data from NMDPRA, the $20 billion refinery supplied 32.01 million liters less of the 50 ml/d it planned to supply to the local market in December 2025.
Dangote refinery last week, firmly denied reports suggesting that it imports finished petroleum products, describing the claims as incorrect and based on a misunderstanding of global refinery operations.
“As a state‑of‑the‑art, large‑scale merchant refinery, DPRP refines crude oil and processes intermediate feedstocks into premium petroleum products and petrochemicals that meet the highest international standards,”.
Speaking during a media briefing at the refinery, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, David Bird, explained that processing intermediate or semi‑processed materials is a standard practice within the global refining industry. He clarified that this practice does not amount to importing finished petroleum products.
Bird highlighted that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery operates using a European and Asian merchant refinery model, which integrates advanced refining, blending and trading systems designed to meet modern quality and environmental benchmarks.
“DPRP produces high‑quality fuels aligned with international environmental and health standards. Our gasoline is lead‑free and MMT‑free with 50 parts per million sulphur, while our diesel meets ultra‑low sulphur specifications. These standards help reduce emissions, protect engines, and safeguard public health,” Bird stated.
He reaffirmed that the Dangote Refinery supplies only fully refined, market‑ready products, adding that semi‑finished fuels are unsuitable for vehicles and are therefore not released into the Nigerian market. Samples of both intermediate feedstocks and fully refined products were displayed to journalists during the briefing.
Bird further noted that the refinery was established to end years of exposure to substandard fuel in Nigeria by providing products that meet stringent global standards. He added that DPRP’s products are now exported to international markets, highlighting their quality and competitiveness.
Intermediate materials, such as naphtha, straight‑run gas oil, vacuum gas oil (VGO), reformate, alkylate and isomerate, serve as feedstock for additional refining into finished fuels like petrol and diesel, as well as petrochemicals.
Bird stressed the refinery’s commitment to transparency in its operations and engagements with regulators. He urged the media to help properly educate the public on the clear distinction between intermediate products and finished fuel.
“It is unfortunate that some individuals are deliberately spreading misleading narratives about a refinery that has transformed Nigeria and the West African region from a dumping ground for substandard fuels into a hub for high‑quality products,” he said.
