Uche Amunike
Lifeandtimes News Writer
Fresh controversy has erupted in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector following accusations by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) that Dangote Refinery is attempting to monopolise the nation’s fuel market through legal action challenging fuel import licences issued to other marketers.
The dispute, which is currently before the Federal High Court in Lagos, has generated widespread debate among Nigerians, especially on social media platform X, where many users expressed strong opinions on the growing rivalry between NNPC and Dangote Refinery.
In a proposed defence submitted before the court, NNPC argued that granting Dangote Refinery’s request to cancel or restrict fuel import licences could negatively affect competition within the downstream petroleum sector. According to the national oil company, such a move could expose the country to fuel shortages, unstable prices, and possible threats to Nigeria’s energy security.
The legal filing was made in response to a suit instituted by Dangote Refinery against the Attorney-General of the Federation. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has also sought to join the suit, highlighting the importance of the matter to the country’s petroleum industry.
The latest legal battle emerged only weeks after Dangote Refinery filed another lawsuit seeking to overturn fuel import permits granted to several oil marketers, including NNPC. The refinery reportedly argued that fuel importation should be discouraged since local refining capacity is now available through its operations.
The case has continued to trigger mixed reactions among Nigerians online. While many social media users openly backed Dangote Refinery and criticised NNPC for relying heavily on imported fuel, others maintained that important questions still remain unanswered by all parties involved.
One X user, identified as @charlogbish, supported Dangote Refinery, saying the company should be allowed to succeed because fuel marketers had slowed Nigeria’s economic progress for years. According to the user, there is no reason Nigeria should continue spending scarce foreign exchange on fuel importation when local refining is now possible.
Another user, @harrisomania, praised Dangote Group’s performance and urged NNPC to focus on healthy competition instead of complaining about monopoly concerns. The user insisted that the fuel market should remain open and competitive.
Several Nigerians also questioned the condition of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries. An X user, @AbualoyNi, criticised NNPC for condemning Dangote Refinery instead of fixing its own refineries, asking the company to explain the huge sums reportedly spent on facilities that have remained largely inactive for years.
Similarly, @morojk90 accused NNPC of failing to properly manage the country’s four refineries, arguing that the company should either rehabilitate them or build new ones rather than continue depending on imported petroleum products.
Others focused on the broader economic implications of fuel importation. A user identified as @koyedele2 argued that Nigeria could no longer afford to import products that can be refined locally because such importation weakens the economy and increases pressure on foreign exchange.
Despite the support for Dangote Refinery, some Nigerians remained cautious. One user, @KayodeAbraham12, claimed that many issues surrounding the dispute had not been fully explained to the public, adding that Nigerians deserved greater transparency from both NNPC and Dangote Refinery.
As the court case continues, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the legal battle between NNPC and Dangote Refinery shapes the future of the country’s fuel market.
