Barely days after the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) resumed the issuance of petrol import licences to petroleum marketers, the Dangote Refinery has dragged the federal government to court over what it termed ‘policy inconsistency.’

It would be recalled that earlier this week, the NMDPRA in what was described as a notable shift in the country’s downstream petroleum policy, granted six major marketers permits to import a combined total of 720,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) into Nigeria.

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The beneficiaries include; NIPCO, AA Rano, Matrix, Shafa, Pinnacle, and Bono.

According to allocation details, NIPCO is expected to import 120,000 metric tonnes; AA Rano, 150,000 metric tonnes; Matrix, 150,000 metric tonnes; Shafa, 120,000 metric tonnes; Pinnacle, 120,000 metric tonnes; and Bono, 60,000 metric tonnes.

NMDPRA has yet to explain the reintroduction of petrol importation licenses policy, amid concerns over the capability of the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries to meet demand, as well as guarantee petrol supply security.

The recently-appointed NMDPRA boss Rabiu Umar had told the senate committee penultimate week, during his screening, that one of his aims is if confirmed for the job is to work towards ensuring petrol supply security in the downstream sector.

Industry data previously released by the regulator indicated that the Dangote Refinery accounted for a significant share of domestic petrol supply.

Meanwhile, according Reuters, court filings on Friday showed that the Dangote refinery has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to nullify import permits issued or renewed by the NMDPRA, while further accusing the federal government of policy inconsistency despite earlier projections promoting a Nigeria-first policy aimed at encouraging local production and refining.

Dangote Refinery is also seeking the cancellation of import permits granted to the NNPCL and several petrol marketers.

According to the court filing, the refinery argued that the licences issued in May undermine its business operations and violate existing laws, which permit fuel importation only when local supply is insufficient.

While Dangote Refinery claims it currently possesses the capacity to meet a large portion of Nigeria’s local fuel demand, however, data released by NMDPRA, showed that the refinery supplied about 79 percent of the country’s petrol consumption in April 2026.

It is against this backdrop that the NMDPRA proceeded with the issuance of additional import licences,the regulatory agency explained.