Tank Farm Owners Reject DAPPMAN Suit, Support  Dangote On Fuel Imports

 The Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria (JETFON) have broken ranks with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), rejecting plans for any legal action against Dangote Petroleum Refinery over fuel import licences.

The group said it does not support DAPPMAN’s stance on fresh import approvals issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), insisting that Nigeria’s local refining capacity is increasingly capable of meeting domestic fuel demand.

In a communique signed by its Executive Secretary, Olayiwola Temitope, JETFON called on the Federal Government and the NMDPRA to stop fuel imports and withdraw active import licences, arguing that continued import approvals weaken local investments and slow industrial growth.

The disagreement follows recent import permits issued by the NMDPRA covering more than 600,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products.

While some marketers have argued that restricting imports could encourage monopoly, tank farm owners maintained that sustained imports are no longer justified given the rise in domestic refining capacity, led by the Dangote refinery.

The association said depending on imported fuel leaves Nigeria exposed to global supply disruptions, logistics bottlenecks and foreign exchange pressures that continue to weigh on the naira.

“By prioritising local refineries, Nigeria can build a self-sustaining and secure domestic fuel supply ecosystem,” the statement said.

JETFON relied on NMDPRA’s April 2026 market figures to support its position. According to the regulator’s data, Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption climbed to 51.1 million litres in April, up from 47.3 million litres recorded in March.

Despite the higher demand, petrol imports dropped sharply by 37.3 per cent to 3.7 million litres per day in April from 5.9 million litres in March.

At the same time, domestic refining output, driven largely by Dangote Refinery, supplied about 40.7 million litres of petrol daily to the Nigerian market, highlighting the growing role of local production in meeting consumption needs.

The group argued that stronger reliance on domestic refining would cut Nigeria’s fuel import bill, reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves and strengthen the naira.

It added that expanding local refining would also create jobs, stimulate industrial activity and keep more petroleum sector value within the Nigerian economy.