Dangote Refinery has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian government, challenging the issuance of fresh petrol import licenses to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and several private marketers. The refinery, which claims to have supplied 79 percent of the country's petrol demand in April 2026, argues that the permits issued in May by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) undermine its operations and violate existing laws. According to court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Dangote Refinery is seeking to nullify the import permits, describing them as a policy reversal inconsistent with the government's stated commitment to prioritising domestic refining. The refinery contends that the renewed licenses contradict the Nigerian-first policy publicly endorsed by government officials. Stakeholders had previously raised concerns over the decision to grant new import permits despite the refinery's significant production capacity. The NMDPRA has maintained its position, issuing the permits even after receiving expert advice against expanding import allocations under current market conditions. Dangote Refinery asserts that the government's actions threaten investments in local refining infrastructure and create an uneven playing field. The court has yet to schedule a hearing on the matter.
The Dangote Refinery lawsuit exposes the contradiction between the government's public stance on local refining and its continued reliance on import permits. While the refinery met nearly 80 percent of national demand in April 2026, the state still authorised new imports, weakening the economic rationale for domestic investment. This move risks discouraging future private sector participation in critical infrastructure. The court's decision will signal whether policy will align with stated energy independence goals.
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