MURIC reviews statement praising FG, says Nigeria still issues fuel import licences

By KEMI KASUMU

“How can NMDPRA ignore this reality to pursue a phantom, a gamble, by permitting the importation of more petrol? And why should NMDPRA deceive Nigerians by telling us that it had stopped importation of fuel when it has not? Why speak tongue in cheek? Who did this to Nigeria?”

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of insincerity, alleging that the agency is still issuing petrol import licences despite earlier indications that such approvals had been halted.

In a statement released on Saturday, March 14, 2026, the Executive Director of MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, criticised the regulator’s actions, describing them as misleading and potentially harmful to the development of local refining capacity.

According to the group, continuing to grant import licences could undermine the growth of domestic refineries and worsen economic challenges such as fuel scarcity, rising petrol prices, currency depreciation and inflation.

MURIC said the situation contradicts public assurances that the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) had been suspended following increased local production.

The organisation claimed that at least six companies are still importing petrol into the country, a development it said raises concerns about transparency, accountability and the ease of doing business for local refiners.

Akintola argued that the policy could negatively affect Nigeria’s petroleum industry, particularly the Dangote Refinery, which he said has the capacity to produce about 75 million litres of petrol daily, along with 25 million litres of diesel and 20 million litres of jet fuel.

He noted that Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption was estimated at about 56.9 million litres as of February 2026, questioning the rationale for allowing additional fuel imports when domestic refining capacity appears capable of meeting demand.

The group also expressed concern that continued importation could place further pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, as fuel imports are typically paid for in foreign currency.

MURIC further argued that the operation of the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries has had positive economic effects, including increased export earnings and improved foreign exchange inflows.

The organisation called on the regulator to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which stipulates that fuel import licences should only be issued to bridge any gap between domestic refining capacity and national demand.

MURIC urged the authorities to prioritise local refineries in crude oil allocation and to ensure greater transparency in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

‎‎The full statement read, ‎‎”Contrary to the position held by our organization two days ago (https://punchng-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/punchng.com/muric-seeks-100-crude-supply-to-dangote-refinery/), the true picture emerging from the Nigerian petroleum architecture indicates that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is still issuing import licences despite assurances to the contrary.

‎‎“We frown upon such a policy. It is dishonest. It is calculated to mislead the public. But most importantly, it is capable of retarding the growth of local refineries with the attendant backlash on the citizenry in terms of petrol scarcity, high cost of fuel, fall in the value of naira as well as galloping inflation.

‎‎”Whereas NMDPRA gave Nigerians the impression that it had put an end to the importation of PMS (https://www.thecable.ng/nmdpra-suspends-issuance-of-petrol-import-licences-says-local-production-meets-domestic-demand/), it has been revealed that at least six companies are still importing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as we speak (https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/03/12/dangote-nmdpra-still-issuing-fuel-import-licences-despite-to-the-contrary/).

‎‎“This revelation negates the principles of transparency, probity and accountability. Nigerians should not be denied the right to know what is happening to their common patrimony. This action is also capable of affecting the ease of doing petroleum business for local refineries. The overall effect also cascades down to the consumers and tax payers because as a common denominator, the prices of goods are bound to skyrocket when the price of petrol rises.

‎‎”It is an open secret that as at January 2026, Dangote Refinery has the capacity to supply 75 million litres of petrol, 25 million litres of diesel, and 20 million litres of jet fuel daily.

‎‎”Now, NMDPRA confirmed last month (February 2026) that Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption is only 56.9 million litres per day (https://businessday-ng.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/businessday.ng/energy/article/nigerias-petrol-consumption-falls-to-56-9m-litres-day-in-february-nmdpra/), what, then, is the rationale for seeking additional importation of fuel?

‎‎”These ‘special importers’ constitute an existential drain on Nigeria’s scarce foreign exchange. Or are they paying in naira abroad? We seriously doubt this. What kind of injurious favouritism is this? We may not all be economists but Nigerians are not nincompoops.

‎‎”Imagine the great economic value Dangote Refinery has proved since inception. Our local currency started climbing up soon after Dangote Refinery began operation. The refinery has been exporting petroleum products to both Western and African countries and this explains the inflow of hard currency.

“Subsequently, naira came out of the intensive care unit and inflation began to drop. Inflation fell from 15.10% in January 2026, to 13.47% in February 2026. This was in the same Nigeria whose inflation rate was 34.6% in November 2024. Things began to change drastically as soon as the Dangote Refinery began to export oil and the importation of fuel reduced immensely.

“If honour must be given to whom it is due, then Dangote Refinery in particular and the rest of Nigerian refineries in general should be treated like the geese that lay the golden eggs. They should be given priority in the allocation of crude oil in line with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 which stipulates that import licences should only be issued to bridge gaps between domestic refining capacity and national demand.

“How can NMDPRA ignore this reality to pursue a phantom, a gamble, by permitting the importation of more petrol? And why should NMDPRA deceive Nigerians by telling us that it had stopped importation of fuel when it has not? Why speak tongue in cheek? Who did this to Nigeria?”