The Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria (JETFON) has distanced itself from any proposed legal action by the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) against Dangote Petroleum Refinery over fuel import licensing disputes.
The group said it does not share DAPPMAN’s position regarding the continued issuance of petrol import licences, insisting that increasing domestic refining capacity has reduced the need for imported petroleum products.
JETFON made its position known in a communiqué issued after a meeting and signed by its Executive Secretary, Olayiwola Temitope.
The development comes amid growing tensions within Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector following disagreements over import approvals recently issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The regulator had approved import licences covering 720,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, a move that has generated mixed reactions among industry operators.
While some marketers have argued that restricting imports could encourage market dominance by a few suppliers, JETFON maintained that Nigeria’s expanding refining capacity can adequately meet domestic fuel demand without relying heavily on imported products.
The association argued that sustained fuel importation could weaken local refining investments and reduce the economic benefits expected from domestic refining projects, including the Dangote Refinery and other emerging plants.
JETFON also called on the Federal Government and the NMDPRA to discontinue the issuance of fresh fuel import licences and review existing approvals in support of local refining operations and broader economic objectives.
According to the group, reducing fuel imports would help conserve foreign exchange, ease pressure on the naira and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term energy security.
The association further stated that dependence on imported refined petroleum products exposes the economy to international supply disruptions, foreign exchange volatility and external logistics risks.
It argued that prioritising domestic refining could support the development of a more stable and self-sustaining fuel supply system within the country.
JETFON referenced data contained in the NMDPRA’s April 2026 industry factsheet, which showed that average daily petrol consumption rose to 51.1 million litres in April from 47.3 million litres recorded in March.
The group also noted that fuel import volumes declined significantly during the same period, falling to 3.7 million litres daily in April from 5.9 million litres per day in March.
According to the association, domestic refining output supplied about 40.7 million litres of petrol daily into the local market during April, with Dangote Refinery accounting for a substantial share of the supply growth.
JETFON said the figures demonstrate the increasing capacity of local refineries to support national fuel demand and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
The association added that expanding domestic refining operations could generate employment opportunities, stimulate industrial activities and retain more petroleum-related value within the Nigerian economy.