Nigeria’s downstream petroleum regulator has approved a fresh round of fuel
import permits for major oil marketers as concerns grow over domestic supply
level.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority
(NMDPRA) issued the new approvals to selected marketers for the third quarter
of 2026, covering the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known
as petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), or diesel.
The latest approvals, which cover the July-to-September period, were granted to
companies including Matrix Energy, AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Nipco and
Pinnacle, according to industry sources.
The move is part of efforts to ensure market stability and prevent possible
supply disruptions amid declining stock levels and reduced gasoline output from
Nigeria’s largest refinery.
Sources familiar with the approvals said AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Matrix
Energy, Nipco and Pinnacle were authorised to import petrol, while AA Rano,
AYM Shafa, Bono, Matrix Energy and Pinnacle received approval to bring in
diesel. The new permits follow an earlier batch of petrol import licences issued
in May. Although the latest approvals were initially expected by June 15,
industry sources said they were finalised after some delays.
Under the new allocation, AA Rano and Matrix Energy received approval to
import 180,000 metric tonnes of petrol each, while Pinnacle was allocated
150,000 metric tonnes and AYM Shafa 120,000 metric tonnes.
For diesel, AYM Shafa received approval for 60,000 metric tonnes, while
Pinnacle was cleared for 45,000 metric tonnes.
Additional approvals may still be issued, with total petrol import allocations
expected to surpass 800,000 metric tonnes when the regulatory exercise is
concluded.
The latest regulatory action comes against the backdrop of tightening fuel
inventories.
NMDPRA data showed that petrol stock sufficiency declined to 16 days in
May, while diesel inventory cover stood at 31 days during the same period. The
fresh permits were issued at a time when international gasoline and diesel prices
have weakened, potentially improving the profitability of fuel imports for
Nigerian marketers.