On Friday, February 20, 2026, the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, convened a meeting of all downstream stakeholders and DAPPMAN was there.
It was the kind of meeting that matters. Not a ceremonial gathering, but a genuine sit-down between the regulator and the industry, frank, focused, and forward-looking.
Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed opened by acknowledging what has been a shared journey. Since coming on board, he noted the tremendous support and cooperation from stakeholders across the sector, and pointed to something tangible as proof that the collaboration is working: Nigerians are refuelling without the stress and long queues that had become all too familiar. That, he said, is the result.
- Product Supply Adequacy: A significant part of the discussions centred on product supply adequacy for Q1 2026. Stakeholders examined the current supply landscape and the measures being put in place to ensure that Nigerians continue to have access to petroleum products without disruption.
- Refinery Developments: The Dangote Refinery’s decision to restream for PMS production was acknowledged as a positive and consequential development, one that is already having a meaningful impact on domestic petrol supply. Modular refineries also received recognition for their contributions to national stock, particularly in the production of AGO and naphtha, reinforcing the fact that Nigeria’s refining story is broader than a single headline.
- PMS Import Framework and Licences: On the regulatory front, the PMS import framework is being finalised and will be published soon, after which import licences will be released to mitigate any likely supply shortfalls. Stakeholders were informed that import licences for Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) have already been issued to close observed supply gaps, a clear signal that the regulator is acting with intent and purpose.
- National Strategic Stock: The National Strategic Stock, a provision embedded in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), also featured in the discussions. The implementation framework is currently under review, and there is clear intent to move it from policy to practice in the near term.
- Marketers and Dangote Refinery Engagement: One of the more candid moments of the meeting was the ACE’s acknowledgement of the ongoing talks between petroleum marketers and the Dangote Refinery. He did not shy away from the reality that trust issues exist between both sides. What he expressed, though, was hope, that the dialogue will be fruitful, that the gaps will close, and that what emerges will be a more collaborative and functional relationship for the good of the entire downstream value chain.
- Road Safety: Road safety featured prominently, and rightly so. Stakeholders collectively stressed the need for concerted efforts to curtail the incessant accidents involving fuel tankers on Nigerian roads. The loss of lives and properties in these incidents is a crisis the industry cannot afford to treat as background noise. The message from the meeting was clear: every stakeholder bears a responsibility, and that responsibility must be acted upon without delay.
