The Federal Government has approved the importation of 830,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, for the fourth quarter of 2026 ahead of the Yuletide season.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority approved the import permits for six major petroleum marketers, according to industry sources.

The beneficiaries are Matrix Energy, AA Rano, AYM Shafa, NIPCO, Pinnacle Oil and Bono Energy.

The approval comes as the Federal Government moves to ensure adequate petrol supply during the final quarter of the year, when demand is expected to rise due to the Christmas and New Year festivities.

The development also comes amid increased domestic refining capacity, particularly from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has continued to supply petrol to the Nigerian market.

Dangote Refinery is challenging the continued issuance and renewal of petrol import licences by the NMDPRA, arguing that imports should not be approved where domestic supply is sufficient.

The refinery has asked the Federal High Court to nullify import licences issued by the regulator in such circumstances. The case is scheduled for further hearing on October 7, 2026.

Despite the fresh import approval, Nigeria’s reliance on imported petrol has declined as local refineries increase production.

Data attributed to the NMDPRA showed that domestic refineries supplied about 76.7 per cent of Nigeria’s total petrol supply in the first quarter of 2026, while petrol imports fell by about 60 per cent year-on-year to approximately 965.5 million litres.

Dangote Refinery has maintained that it has sufficient petrol to meet local demand and export surplus products.

The fresh approval means imported petrol will remain part of Nigeria’s supply mix alongside locally refined products in the fourth quarter.