Dangote Refinery Appeals Court Ruling on Fuel Licences

Dangote Petroleum Refinery Petrochemicals FZE has sought permission from the Court of Appeal in Abuja to appeal a Federal High Court judgment that requires the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to continue granting petroleum product import licences to Matrix Energy, AA Rano, and AYM Shafa. This motion was filed on October 6, 2026, following a ruling by Justice Inyang E. Ekwo on September 28, 2026, which stated that the NMDPRA's refusal to issue these licences was in direct non-compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The refinery's legal team is requesting the court to allow them to appeal as an interested party against the judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1363/2026.

The plaintiffs had argued that the PIA does not prohibit the importation of petroleum products or the issuance of licences to eligible importers. Justice Ekwo's ruling emphasized that the NMDPRA's actions were beyond the law's provisions, rendering any refusal to issue licences null and void.