Energy Watchdog Backs Dangote Refinery Appeal Over Import Licenses
Energy Watchdog supports Dangote Petroleum Refinery's appeal against a court order requiring the government to continue issuing fuel import licenses to three oil marketers.
The Energy Watchdog has formally backed the decision by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals to appeal a Federal High Court judgment concerning petroleum import licenses. On September 28, 2026, Justice Inyang E. Ekwo ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to continue issuing import licenses to three specific oil marketers: Matrix Energy, AA Rano, and AYM Shafa.
The advocacy group argues that the ruling undermines the Petroleum Industry Act and threatens Nigeria's pursuit of energy self-sufficiency. By endorsing imports despite the increased capacity of domestic facilities like the Dangote refinery, the group claims the court is risking investor confidence in the domestic refining sector.
The Energy Watchdog has urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the lower court's order to protect national energy security, asserting that the decision effectively endorses continued importation regardless of local capacity.
