{
  "id": 10423400,
  "title": "BREAKING: Court orders NMDPRA to continually grant fuel import licences to Matrix, AA Rano, AYM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/breaking-court-orders-nmdpra-to-continually-grant-fuel-import",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-28T10:23:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nairametrics",
    "slug": "nairametrics",
    "url": "https://nairametrics.com/2026/09/28/court-orders-nmdpra-to-continually-grant-fuel-import-licences-to-matrix-aa-rano-aym/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) must continue issuing fuel import licenses to three major oil marketers—Matrix Energy, AA Rano, and AYM Shafa. Justice Inyang Ekwo declared that the NMDPRA's refusal to grant the licenses violated the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).\n\nThe plaintiffs, represented by Raji Ahmed, SAN, and Chris Ekemezie, Esq., argued that the PIA does not prohibit the importation of petroleum products into Nigeria nor prevent the NMDPRA from granting licenses to eligible importers. The judge agreed, stating that the NMDPRA's actions were \"direct non-compliance\" with the PIA and were beyond its legal authority.\n\nThe judge cited relevant sections of the PIA and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) that compel the NMDPRA to promote a competitive midstream and downstream petroleum market. The plaintiffs, once they meet the conditions set by the NMDPFA for license issuance, are entitled to the import licenses, according to the judge.\n\nSabiu Saidu Mahuta, Executive Director of A.A. Rano Nigeria Limited, testified that the NMDPRA had been sporadically issuing import licenses since July 2025, instead of regularly. He argued that this action was entrenching market dominance and monopolization by local refineries, which would hinder competition and lead to inflated prices in the downstream sector.\n\nThe NMDPRA's legal team also contested the plaintiffs' claims. The case comes amid reports that Nigeria's petrol imports dropped significantly in Q1 2026 as local refineries' production increased to around 3.18 billion liters. Matrix Energy, AA Rano, and AYM Shafa have also joined a fresh suit against the Attorney General of the Federation in the Federal High Court in Lagos, claiming that fuel import licenses issued by the NMDPRA contradict Nigerian law, which permits imports only when local supply is insufficient to meet demand.",
  "summary": "The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to “continue to grant” petroleum products import licences to three major oil marketers—Matrix Energy, AA Rano, and AYM Shafa—in line with relevant laws. The post BREAKING: Court orders NMDPRA to continually grant fuel import licences to Matrix, AA Rano, AYM appeared…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}