The decision by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to resume issuing petrol import licences has triggered criticism from industry advocates, who warn that the move could undermine domestic refining efforts and expose the market to substandard fuel products.
The concerns were raised by the Energy Transparency and Market Justice Initiative in a statement issued on Wednesday, describing the development as a policy reversal that risks eroding recent gains in local supply while encouraging the inflow of lower-quality petroleum products.
The regulator had earlier maintained that domestic refining capacity was sufficient to meet national demand, leading to a suspension of import licences in February. However, following supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, the agency granted fresh licences to six marketers to import about 180,000 metric tonnes of petrol in a bid to stabilise supply.
While the NMDPRA has described the decision as a temporary intervention, ETMJI argued that it reflects deeper inconsistencies in regulatory direction and raises fresh concerns about quality control within Nigeria’s downstream sector.
Dr Salako Kareem, who signed the statement, warned that reintroducing petrol imports under emergency conditions risks opening the floodgates to products that may not meet required specifications.
“What we are witnessing is a deeply flawed response to a complex problem. Attempting to resolve supply shortages by reintroducing large-scale fuel imports, without watertight quality assurance, is comparable to using poison to cure a disease. It may appear to offer immediate relief, but in reality, it introduces far more dangerous consequences for consumers, the market, and the integrity of the regulatory system,” he said.
Kareem argued that rather than reverting to import dependence, the regulator should prioritise strengthening domestic supply chains and addressing distribution inefficiencies that often create artificial scarcity.
According to him, the decision sends conflicting signals to investors in local refining, particularly at a time when Nigeria is seeking to reduce its reliance on imported petroleum products.
“This policy direction undermines the confidence of investors who have committed resources to building domestic refining capacity. When the regulator oscillates between import substitution and import expansion without a clear framework, it creates uncertainty that discourages long-term investment and planning in the sector. You cannot, on one hand, advocate self-sufficiency and, on the other, reopen the gates to imports at the slightest disruption,” Kareem said.
The group also raised concerns about the potential economic implications of renewed import activity, noting that increased reliance on imports could exert pressure on foreign exchange and contribute to higher landing costs, which are often passed on to consumers.
ETMJI maintained that external shocks should not justify what it described as a “regulatory backslide” in Nigeria’s fuel supply strategy.
Kareem said the focus should instead be on building resilience within the domestic market by improving logistics, enforcing quality standards, and supporting local refiners to operate at optimal capacity.
“Short-term fixes that rely on imports may offer temporary relief, but they do not address the structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s petroleum supply chain. What is required is a disciplined commitment to strengthening local production, enhancing regulatory oversight and ensuring that every litre of fuel consumed in this country meets strict quality benchmarks,” Kareem declared.
He further warned that the reintroduction of imports without stringent monitoring mechanisms could revive long-standing issues of product adulteration and regulatory arbitrage, where market players exploit loopholes for profit.
The advocacy group called on the NMDPRA to provide full transparency on the criteria used in issuing the new licences, including safeguards put in place to prevent the entry of substandard products into the Nigerian market.
