Lagos Court Blocks NMDPRA from Shutting Dangote Refinery

A Federal High Court in Lagos issued an interim injunction on August 31, 2026, restraining the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) from shutting down or interfering with the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The order follows a legal challenge by the refinery against an August 24 directive from the NMDPRA that suspended the loading and truck-out of petroleum products from the facility.

Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the injunction to preserve the subject matter of the dispute. In his ruling, the judge cited a March 2, 2026, letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation which stated that the NMDPRA lacks regulatory oversight powers within free zones, including the Lekki Free Zone where the refinery is located. The court has adjourned the matter until September 9, 2026.

Parallel to this dispute, the refinery is pursuing a separate lawsuit challenging the issuance of fuel import licenses to NNPC Limited and other marketers. The refinery argues that domestic production already exceeds national consumption, making such licenses unnecessary.