The NNPC has accused Dangote Petroleum Refinery of trying to block rivals from importing fuel, a move the state oil company says would hand the refinery control of Nigeria's entire fuel supply. In court papers filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, NNPC argues that granting Dangote's request to void import licences issued to other marketers would expose Africa's largest oil producer to supply shortages, unstable prices, and threats to energy security.
Dangote filed a lawsuit challenging the import permits given to competing fuel marketers, but NNPC says this amounts to an attempt to kill competition. The state oil company told the court that the law permits import licences to companies that either own local refineries or have a track record in international crude and petroleum trading. Under Nigeria's backward-integration policy, regulators have discretion over imports, and there is no blanket ban except when the country faces domestic fuel shortages.
NNPC went further to say Dangote has not shown any credible, independent or verifiable proof that the refinery can meet Nigeria's entire fuel demand or guarantee steady supply across the country. The company declined comment on the allegations while the case moves through the courts. NNPC also denied claims that it has sabotaged Dangote's operations or deliberately cut off crude supplies, saying allocations depend on operational, commercial, security and logistical factors that change regularly.
Fuel marketers have also opposed the lawsuit, warning the court that if Dangote wins, it would destroy market competition and put the country's fuel security at risk. The Federal High Court has scheduled a hearing for the coming weeks to hear arguments from both sides.
