The Energy Watchdog has welcomed the decision by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE to approach the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking leave to challenge a Federal High Court judgment that directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to continue issuing petroleum product import licences to three major oil marketers.
In a statement signed by Engr Martins Tayo, the group described the move as a necessary step to protect Nigeria’s emerging domestic refining capacity and to prevent a return to excessive dependence on imported fuel.
The organisation noted that the September 28, 2026 judgment delivered by Justice Inyang E. Ekwo in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1363/2026 had ordered the NMDPRA to keep granting licences to Matrix Energy, AA Rano and AYM Shafa.
The Energy Watchdog said the ruling undermines the spirit of the Petroleum Industry Act and the significant investments already made to achieve local self-sufficiency in refined products.
“We completely reject and condemn in totality the judgment of the lower court. It is a deeply flawed decision that disregards the clear intent of the Petroleum Industry Act and the national interest in building a robust domestic refining industry,” the statement by Engr Martins Tayo declared.
“By compelling the regulator to continue issuing import licences even when local production is rising, the court has opened the door to practices that could stifle the growth of indigenous refining and keep Nigeria locked in the cycle of import dependency that has held the economy captive for decades.
“This judgment is not only legally questionable but economically dangerous. It prioritises the commercial interests of a few importers over the long-term energy security of the entire nation.
”We find it unacceptable and urge the Court of Appeal to set it aside in its entirety.”
The group further observed that Nigeria’s petrol import volumes had already declined sharply in the first quarter of 2026 as supply from local refineries, particularly the Dangote facility, climbed significantly.
It argued that any judicial order that forces the continued issuance of import licences at this stage of the country’s refining transition runs contrary to the policy direction of reducing reliance on foreign products.
According to the Energy Watchdog, Dangote Refinery’s decision to seek leave to appeal as an interested party is both timely and responsible.
The organisation said the refinery has a legitimate stake in ensuring that the regulatory framework supports, rather than undermines, the commercial viability of large-scale domestic refining.
“The lower court’s decision amounts to a judicial endorsement of continued importation irrespective of local capacity.
”We condemn it without reservation because it threatens to reverse the hard-won gains of the last few years,” Engr Tayo stated.
“Nigeria cannot afford a situation in which courts compel regulators to flood the market with imported products when indigenous refineries are ready and able to meet demand.
“We stand firmly with Dangote Refinery in this appeal. The judgment must be overturned so that the principle of local refining first is protected and the NMDPRA is free to exercise its regulatory powers in line with the actual supply realities on the ground.”
The Energy Watchdog also reminded stakeholders that the Petroleum Industry Act was designed to encourage investment in midstream and downstream infrastructure, not to guarantee perpetual import licences for marketers.
It warned that allowing the lower court ruling to stand would send a damaging signal to both local and foreign investors who have committed capital to refining projects in Nigeria.
In its statement, the group called on the Court of Appeal to grant Dangote Refinery the leave it seeks and to ultimately reverse the Federal High Court order.
It described the appeal as a critical opportunity to restore balance between regulatory authority, judicial interpretation and the overriding national objective of energy independence.
“Any judgment that forces the continued importation of fuel products when local refineries can supply the market is a setback for Nigeria.
”We condemn the lower court ruling in the strongest terms and fully support the appeal filed by Dangote Refinery,” the statement concluded.
“The Court of Appeal must correct this error and reaffirm that the era of automatic import licences is over.”