Yuletide: FG approves fresh imports of 830,000MT petrol

The Nigerian Government has granted approval for the importation of 830,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, or petrol, for the fourth quarter of 2026, in anticipation of heightened demand during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. This decision was made by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and it follows a pattern of importing petrol alongside locally refined products to meet domestic needs.

Six major petroleum marketers have been granted import permits, continuing their status as primary beneficiaries of the regulator's petrol import program. This increase in import allocation comes as the country's refineries expand capacity, with Dangote Petroleum Refinery playing a significant role in supplying petrol to the market.

However, concerns have surfaced over the continued issuance of petrol import permits as domestic refining capacity rises, with Dangote refinery challenging the regulator's actions in court. Despite these developments, Nigeria's dependence on imported petrol has decreased as local refineries boost output, with domestic refineries now supplying over 76.7 percent of the country's total petrol supply in the first quarter of 2026.