A new round of fuel import permits for major oil marketers has been issued by Nigeria's downstream petroleum regulator as concerns over domestic supply grow. For the third quarter of 2026, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) granted new permits to certain marketers to import Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), or diesel, and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as gasoline. Industry sources report that companies including Matrix Energy, AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Nipco, and Pinnacle received the most recent approvals, which span the July–September timeframe.
The action is a part of attempts to maintain market stability and avoid potential supply disruptions in the face of diminishing stock levels and lower gasoline production from the biggest refinery in Nigeria.
According to people familiar with the approvals, AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Matrix Energy, Nipco, and Pinnacle were permitted to import gasoline, and they were given permission to import diesel. The new licenses come after a previous round of petrol import licenses that were granted in May. Industry sources stated that the most recent approvals were finalized after some delays, despite the fact that they were originally anticipated by June 15.
AA Rano and Matrix Energy were permitted to import 180,000 metric tonnes of gasoline each under the revised allocation, while Pinnacle was given 150,000 metric tonnes and AYM Shafa 120,000 metric tonnes. For diesel, AYM Shafa gained approval for 60,000 metric tonnes, while Pinnacle was allowed 45,000 metric tonnes.
After the regulatory process is finished, total fuel import allocations are anticipated to exceed 800,000 metric tons, and more licenses may yet be granted. Tightening fuel stockpiles is the backdrop for the most recent regulatory action.
According to NMDPRA data, diesel inventory cover was 31 days in May, while gasoline stock sufficiency dropped to 16 days. The new permits were granted during a period when the price of gasoline and diesel had dropped internationally, which could increase the profitability of fuel imports for Nigerian marketers.
