Nigeria’s fuel market faces renewed uncertainty as Dangote Petroleum Refinery returns to court again over import licences.
Legal Dispute Over Import Licences
The refinery seeks to invalidate import licences that NNPC and several fuel marketers hold.
It filed the case at the Federal High Court in Lagos this week.
It also challenges permits that the NMDPRA issued for fuel imports.
Dangote argues that these approvals breach an earlier court order.
That order instructed all parties to maintain the status quo during proceedings.
Rising Local Production Versus Imports
At the centre of the dispute, the refinery questions how much fuel Nigeria should import.
It insists that Nigerian law allows imports only when local supply falls short.
Moreover, it claims rising domestic production removes the need for imports.
Recent data shows petrol imports fell sharply across Nigeria in early 2026.
Read Also: Local Refinery Cuts Petrol Imports 60% With 3.18bnL
Meanwhile, local refineries increased output to about 3.18 billion litres.
As a result, domestic supply now meets most national petrol demand.
However, fuel marketers still defend imports as necessary for stable supply.
They argue that imports prevent shortages during demand spikes and logistics disruptions.
Industry Shift And Export Ambitions
This case continues a pattern of legal disputes involving Dangote Refinery.
In 2025, it filed a similar suit against NNPC and several marketers.
In that case, it also demanded ₦100 billion in damages from the defendants.
However, later it withdrew the case before the court delivered a ruling.
Nigeria has long depended on imported petrol due to weak state refineries.
Now, the Dangote Refinery is changing that dependence through local production.
The Lagos-based plant produces petrol, diesel, and other refined products.
Consequently, officials report that domestic refineries now supply over 75% of demand.
Aliko Dangote leads the group and strongly defends the refinery’s capacity.
He says the plant can meet Nigeria’s fuel needs without shortages.
Additionally, he says it can supply export markets across Africa.
In March alone, the refinery shipped multiple cargoes to other countries.