Dangote Refinery Drops Lawsuit Against Nigerian Fuel Import Licenses

July 30, 2025

3 minutes read

Dangote-Refinery-

In a surprising move, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has withdrawn its ₦100 billion ($66 million) lawsuit against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), and several oil marketers.

The case, filed in September 2024 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, aimed to cancel fuel import licenses issued to NNPC and other companies, including AYM Shafa Ltd, A.A. Rano Ltd, T. Time Petroleum Ltd, 2015 Petroleum Ltd, and Matrix Petroleum Services Ltd.

Challenging Import Licenses

Dangote argued that NMDPRA violated the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licenses for importing gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel.

The refinery claimed its 650,000-barrel-per-day facility, which began producing petrol in September 2024, could meet Nigeria’s fuel needs, making imports unnecessary.

The company sought a court order to nullify the licenses and demanded ₦100 billion in damages for losses caused by continued imports.

Court’s Earlier Ruling

In March 2025, Justice Inyang Ekwo rejected objections from NNPC and three oil marketers, who argued the lawsuit was invalid due to a naming error.

The judge ruled that the misidentification of NNPC did not undermine the case, allowing it to move forward.

Despite this victory, Dangote chose to discontinue the suit on July 28, 2025, through a notice filed by its lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, stating, “The plaintiff herein discontinues this suit against the defendants forthwith.”

No Reason Given for Withdrawal

Dangote provided no official explanation for dropping the case. Industry observers speculate that behind-the-scenes negotiations or government interventions, such as President Bola Tinubu’s directive to sell crude oil in naira, may have addressed some of the refinery’s concerns.

The withdrawal could signal a shift toward cooperation with regulators and marketers to stabilize Nigeria’s fuel market.

What Happens Next?

The case is still set for a hearing on September 29, 2025, where defendants may request legal costs or agree to let the court formally dismiss the suit.

The decision comes as Nigeria’s petroleum imports have declined since Dangote began supplying fuel locally, potentially easing tensions in the downstream sector.

However, challenges like crude supply issues and pricing disputes continue to affect the refinery’s operations.

Broader Implications

This development highlights ongoing friction in Nigeria’s petroleum industry as the country transitions from reliance on imported fuel to local refining.

With Dangote Refinery positioning itself as a key player in ending Nigeria’s fuel import dependency, the lawsuit’s withdrawal may pave the way for policy changes or collaboration to support local production while maintaining a competitive market.

Read Also: ICC Convicts CAR’s Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona

Share:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Links

LOOKMAN

Lookman Urges Atalanta to Find Clinical Edge

Nigerian star Ademola Lookman has called on his team, Atalanta, to show greater killer instinct. ...

SUPER EAGLES

Super Eagles Camp Opens in Rabat for World Cup Playoff

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the final training details for the Super Eagles. ...

ONUACHU

Nigerian Star Paul Onuachu Leads Goal Charts in Turkey

Following a difficult period last season, Nigerian forward Paul Onuachu has fully regained his sharp ...

Osimhen

Transfer Buzz: Osimhen Pushing Galatasaray to Sign Teammate

Reports emerging from the Italian media suggest that star striker Victor Osimhen is actively urging ...

Features

Countries Aircraft

African Countries with the Largest Military Aircraft Fleets in 2025

Africa’s military aircraft fleets are key for defense, surveillance, and peacekeeping. In 2025, several nations ...

Countries

Top 10 African Countries with Best Salaries in 2025

Africa’s job market is growing fast. In 2025, some countries offer great pay. This list ...

Kanye West

New Documentary Explores Kanye West’s Turbulent Journey

A new documentary, In Whose Name?, directed by Nico Ballesteros, offers an intimate look at ...

japa

Top 9 African Countries Sending Immigrants to the United States

Africa’s influence in the United States continues to expand through immigration. Many individuals from the ...

GOLD_3_6

Top 10 Countries Benefiting from Gold Trading in 2025

Gold trading drives wealth for nations with large reserves. In 2025, countries with significant gold ...

FNB-Stadium

Top 10 Most Expensive Stadiums in Africa for 2025

Africa’s sports infrastructure shines with world-class stadiums built for football, rugby, and major events. These ...

Gold

Top Gold-Producing Countries in Africa for 2025

Africa remains a global leader in gold production, contributing significantly to the world’s supply. In ...

digital-nomad-visa

Top 10 Digital Nomad Visa Countries for 2025

As remote work continues to thrive, digital nomad visas offer professionals the chance to live ...

Latest News

Today in History

In the early 1940s, the FCC assigned television`s Channel 1 to mobile services (like two-way radios in taxis) but did not re-number the other channel assignments.

Exchange Rate Per Dollar

AM Armenian Dram382.72
GH Ghana Cedi10.85
GM Gambian Dalasi72.5
GN Guinea Franc8,675
NG Nigerian Naira₦1,446.2
CF CFA Franc BEAC567.2308
30 Oct · CurrencyRate · USD
CurrencyRate.Today
Check: 30 Oct 2025 20:05 UTC
Latest change: 30 Oct 2025 20:00 UTC
API: CurrencyRate
Disclaimers. This plugin or website cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed. You should confirm current rates before making any transactions that could be affected by changes in the exchange rates.
You can install this WP plugin on your website from the WordPress official website: Exchange Rates🚀

YOUR THOUGHTS

Let us know what you think

Contact the People’s Paper with feedback on stories and how we could make wapress.africa even better!

newsletter image

Stay up to date with the latest from West Africa Press

Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on WApress.

Subscribe Newsletter!

Be the first to receive our latest contents and more...

Need help?