NMDPRA Declares No Authority to Set Petrol Prices

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) stated it does not have the legal authority to fix petrol pump prices, as outlined in a statement released on September 19, 2026. The NMDPRA referenced Section 205(1) of the Petroleum Act (PIA), which mandates that wholesale and retail petroleum product prices be determined under free-market conditions.

The authority clarified that government intervention in pricing is only permissible under specific conditions, which have not been met. Despite its limited role in pricing, the NMDPRA emphasized that deregulation does not exempt operators from adhering to regulatory and fair-trade obligations.

In response to rising fuel costs, which range from N1,400 to N1,450 per litre in major cities, the NMDPRA is collaborating with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to monitor for price-gouging and other unfair practices. The authority is also enhancing surveillance against petroleum product smuggling.