Energy security: Petrol imports to continue-NMDPRA

Nigeria will continue to rely on petrol imports as part of its fuel supply mix despite the expansion of domestic refining capacity, the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, has said.

This was as he said the authority was working to establish reliable state-by-state consumption figures, acknowledging that it did not yet have sufficiently accurate data showing how much petroleum products were consumed across the country.

The NMDPRA CEO disclosed this at the OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos yesterday.

Umar said maintaining diverse sources of supply was essential to national energy security, stressing that import channels must remain open and competitive even as local refineries play a growing role in meeting domestic demand.

He said the authority would ensure that imports were managed transparently, with import licences issued according to published criteria.

He maintained that energy security also means diversity of supply, explaining the need to preserve access to alternative sources of petroleum products.

The NMDPRA boss said the regulator would maintain competitive import channels to support supply stability and prevent the market from becoming overly dependent on a single source.

Umar also emphasised the importance of transparency in the management of the petroleum market, saying the authority was working to improve the publication of industry data and make relevant information more accessible to market participants.

He disclosed that the NMDPRA was working to establish more accurate data on petroleum consumption across the country, including the volume consumed in individual states.

He said reliable consumption figures were necessary to provide a clearer picture of market demand and improve planning in a sector undergoing significant changes in supply patterns.

The authority chief further highlighted efforts to strengthen product-quality monitoring, including plans for nine additional petroleum testing laboratories and a national reference laboratory.

He also outlined plans to improve regulatory efficiency through digital licensing and more transparent processes, saying predictable regulation was important for attracting investment and sustaining competition.

Umar said the authority would continue engaging industry stakeholders to ensure that its regulatory decisions supported reliable supplies, fair competition and a more efficient downstream petroleum market.

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