Dangote and local refineries can satisfy Nigeria’s petrol demand, according to JETFON

The Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria (JETFON) has thrown its weight behind the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, urging the federal government to cancel all active petrol import licences and prioritise locally refined fuel.

In a communiqué signed by its Executive Secretary, Olayiwola Temitope, the association said Nigeria now has enough domestic refining capacity to meet its fuel needs without relying on imported petroleum products.

JETFON also distanced itself from a proposed legal action by the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), which is opposing Dangote Refinery’s attempt to halt the issuance of new import permits.

The group’s intervention follows a recent decision by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to issue fresh licences covering more than 600,000 metric tonnes of imported fuel, a move that has reignited tensions within Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.

While some marketers argue that limiting imports could create a monopoly and threaten energy security, JETFON said continued fuel importation is economically harmful and undermines billions of dollars invested in domestic refining projects.

According to the association, relying on local refineries such as Dangote’s 650,000-barrel-per-day facility will reduce pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, support the naira and strengthen the country’s long-term energy security.

JETFON cited NMDPRA’s April 2026 supply data, which showed that national petrol consumption rose to 51.1 million litres per day, up from 47.3 million litres in March.

Over the same period, fuel imports dropped sharply by 37.3 percent to 3.7 million litres daily from 5.9 million litres, while domestic refineries, led by Dangote, supplied 40.7 million litres per day to the local market.

The association said the figures demonstrate that local production is already displacing imported fuel and is capable of meeting most of Nigeria’s demand.

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It added that supporting domestic refining would not only conserve foreign exchange but also create thousands of jobs, stimulate related industries and ensure that more value from Nigeria’s crude oil remains within the economy.

“By prioritising local refineries, Nigeria can build a self-sustaining and secure domestic fuel supply ecosystem,” the group said.

The call adds to growing pressure on the government to protect local refiners as Nigeria seeks to end decades of dependence on imported petroleum products despite being one of Africa’s largest oil producers.

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