Operators split as tank farms back local refining

A fresh crack has emerged in the downstream oil sector as members of the Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria distanced themselves from the position of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria on fuel importation, throwing their weight behind the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s push to halt fresh petrol imports.

The tank farm owners also called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to cancel existing import licences for Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), insisting that local refining capacity can now meet domestic demand.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued by the association and made available to journalists through its Executive Secretary, Mr Olayiwola Temitope, on Tuesday.

The development comes amid rising tension in the downstream sector following a fresh lawsuit filed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery challenging the issuance of petrol import licences to marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The PUNCH reports that the NMDPRA recently approved licences for the importation of over 700,000 metric tonnes of petrol despite claims that the Dangote refinery now supplies more than 90 per cent of the nation’s daily PMS consumption.

The import approvals have triggered criticism from some marketers and depot operators, who warned that restricting imports could create a monopoly in the downstream sector.

DAPPMAN had faulted the refinery’s legal action and argued that import licences were necessary to guarantee energy security and sustain competition in the deregulated market. It also vowed to join the suit in defence of its members who are fuel importers, saying the billions spent on depot infrastructure should not be allowed to go to waste because of Dangote.

However, JETFON said it does not share the same position as DAPPMAN on the issue of fresh import licences. According to the association, continued fuel importation is no longer economically justifiable given the growing refining capacity within the country.

The tank farm owners argued that the Dangote refinery and other local refineries have significantly reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel and should be protected rather than undermined. They warned that granting fresh import permits would weaken local investments and frustrate efforts aimed at achieving energy independence.

“Relying on foreign refined products leaves the local economy vulnerable to external supply chain shocks, international logistics disruptions, and continuous foreign exchange pressures that weaken the naira,” the statement said. “By prioritising local refineries, Nigeria can build a self-sustaining and secure domestic fuel supply ecosystem.”

The association maintained that Nigeria’s long-term economic stability depends on strengthening domestic refining rather than encouraging import dependence. JETFON also cited recent data released by the NMDPRA, which showed a sharp decline in fuel imports and an increased contribution from local refining.

According to the regulator’s April 2026 factsheet referenced by the association, Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption rose to 51.1 million litres in April from 47.3 million litres recorded in March.

At the same time, daily fuel imports reportedly dropped by 37.3 per cent, from 5.9 million litres in March to 3.7 million litres in April. The association noted that local refineries, led mainly by the Dangote refinery, supplied about 40.7 million litres daily during the period, significantly replacing imported products.

JETFON argued that the figures demonstrate that domestic refining is already taking over the market and reducing pressure on foreign exchange demand. It added that supporting local refining would help stabilise the naira, conserve external reserves, and create jobs across the petroleum value chain.