FG Approves Fresh Petrol, Diesel Imports to Avert Supply Shortages

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has approved fresh imports of petrol and diesel for the third quarter of 2026 as part of efforts to avert potential fuel shortages across the country.

According to a report published on Tuesday by global energy intelligence firm Argus Media, the approvals cover the July to September period and were granted to major downstream operators amid declining fuel stock levels and concerns over reduced gasoline production at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The move underscores the government’s determination to maintain stability in the domestic fuel market while balancing the country’s growing local refining capacity with the need to ensure uninterrupted supplies.

Argus, citing regulatory and industry sources, reported that domestic firms including AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono Energy, Nipco, Matrix Energy and Pinnacle Oil received permits to import Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

The same companies, with the exception of Nipco, were also granted approvals to import Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), or diesel.

The latest approvals follow an earlier batch of petrol import permits issued by the regulator in May, covering about 720,000 metric tonnes of PMS.

A regulatory source quoted by Argus said the approvals were necessary to prevent projected supply gaps in the country’s fuel market.

“The permits were issued to head off projected shortfalls in supply,” the source said, adding that the issuance process was still ongoing and that total approved petrol import volumes could exceed 800,000 metric tonnes.

According to the report, AA Rano and Matrix Energy each secured approval to import 180,000 metric tonnes of petrol, while AYM Shafa received approval for 120,000 metric tonnes. Pinnacle Oil was granted a permit covering 150,000 metric tonnes.

For diesel imports, AYM Shafa obtained approval for 60,000 metric tonnes, while Pinnacle received permission to import 45,000 metric tonnes.

The approvals, initially expected by June 15, were reportedly delayed before being issued recently.

Argus noted that fuel inventories in Nigeria have shown signs of tightening. Petrol stock sufficiency declined by 1.7 days to 16 days in May, while diesel stock sufficiency dropped by eight days to 31 days during the same period.