Dangote Refinery has initiated legal proceedings by filing a petition with the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the revocation of import licenses issued to several companies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, and A.A. Rano.
The refinery contends that these companies should not be allowed to import petroleum products, arguing that its own output of key fuels is more than sufficient to meet national demand.
In its suit, the refinery highlights the production of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet-A1 fuel, which it claims significantly exceeds the daily consumption requirements of the Nigerian market.
The refinery expresses concern over what it perceives as an unjustified allowance for competing companies to import products that could be sourced domestically, thereby undermining the objectives of local production and refinery development.
The legal action is filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024. Beyond seeking the annulment of the import licenses, Dangote Refinery is also pursuing a substantial claim of N100 billion in damages from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The refinery argues that the regulatory body’s decision to issue these licenses has resulted in significant financial losses and disrupted the market conditions needed to support its operations.
Dangote Refinery’s lawsuit emphasizes the importance of prioritizing domestic production in line with Nigeria’s economic policies, which aim to reduce dependence on imported fuel and promote local refining capacity.
By challenging the licenses in court, the refinery hopes to set a precedent that strengthens the role of indigenous producers and ensures regulatory decisions align with national interests.
