The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has announced plans to intervene in the ongoing disagreement between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The resolution was reached on Monday after an emergency meeting held in Abuja. The meeting was prompted by rising concerns that the dispute could threaten the relative calm and progress recently achieved in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
Chairmen of the two committees, Ikenga Ugochinyere (Downstream) and Henry Okogie (Midstream), disclosed that the management of the Dangote Refinery and officials of the NMDPRA would be formally invited to appear before the lawmakers to clarify the issues at the heart of the conflict.
Speaking after the meeting, Ugochinyere explained that the committee’s intervention became necessary following allegations made by Aliko Dangote against the petroleum regulator, which have reignited tension in the sector at a sensitive time.
According to him, the lawmakers are determined to protect the fragile stability that has been built in fuel supply, pricing, and regulation since the removal of fuel subsidy.
He noted that the dispute revolves around key regulatory concerns, including the issuance of fuel import licences, access to crude oil for domestic refining, pricing transparency, and the role local refineries are expected to play in meeting Nigeria’s fuel needs.
Since the Dangote Refinery began phased operations, disagreements have surfaced over whether continued fuel importation weakens local refining capacity. There have also been claims of regulatory bias and delays in approvals, issues that have increasingly spilled into the public space.
These public exchanges, Ugochinyere warned, risk damaging investor confidence, disrupting supply stability, and undermining the goals of the Petroleum Industry Act, which prioritises domestic refining, competition, and private sector participation.
To address the matter, the committee resolved to invite Aliko Dangote, as President of the Dangote Group, alongside the leadership of the NMDPRA, to present their positions and respond to allegations and counter-allegations.
He added that the committee believes a lasting solution can only be achieved by identifying the core issues driving the tension and engaging all parties constructively.
The lawmakers also appealed to both sides to halt media confrontations while the National Assembly’s intervention is ongoing, stressing that public exchanges could worsen the situation.
Ugochinyere further revealed that the committee has already received petitions highlighting broader industry concerns, particularly around fuel import licences and whether existing domestic refineries can adequately meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum consumption.
