NMDPRA Shuts Down Two Ogun Filling Stations for Under-Dispensing Fuel, Seal Tampering

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed two filling stations in Ogun State for under-dispensing petrol and violating the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. One of the stations repeatedly broke the law by removing official seals, resuming operations illegally and ignoring several regulatory invitations.

Stations Sealed in Ifo Local Government Area

The affected outlets, Mangarborn Energy and Mobil Filling Station, are located in the Akute/Ajuwon axis of Ifo Local Government Area. The enforcement operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure compliance with regulations governing the downstream petroleum sector.

Speaking during the enforcement exercise on Monday, the Head of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the NMDPRA Abeokuta Field Office, Olufemi Adebowale, said investigations revealed that one of the filling stations had consistently dispensed less fuel than customers paid for. He also alleged that the station unlawfully removed official regulatory seals placed on its premises and resumed operations without obtaining approval from the authority.

Regulator Warns Against Short-Changing Customers

Adebowale said the regulator would no longer tolerate operators who short-change customers or flout regulatory directives. Adebowale said: “It is high time we made it clear that they cannot continue to under-dispense products, deliberately remove our seals and believe that nothing will happen. That is why we are here to enforce the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.”

According to him, the NMDPRA has monitored the station since 2025 and has sealed it on at least six separate occasions for similar infractions. He added that the operator also failed to honour several invitations issued by the regulatory agency.

Licence Suspension Under Consideration

Adebowale disclosed that both filling stations would remain closed until they fulfilled all regulatory conditions, including the payment of applicable fines and penalties. He added that the authority is considering suspending the operating licences of the affected outlets, subject to the approval of NMDPRA management.

The official warned petroleum marketers against under-dispensing fuel, tampering with official seals or disregarding regulatory directives, stressing that offenders would face sanctions under the Petroleum Industry Act. He further cautioned that any attempt to reopen the sealed stations or remove NMDPRA seals without authorisation would amount to a criminal offence and could lead to prosecution.

For Nigerian consumers, this enforcement sends a clear signal that the NMDPRA is cracking down on sharp practices at the pump. Under-dispensing fuel directly hits the pockets of motorists and businesses already grappling with high petrol prices. The regulator's willingness to seal stations and consider licence suspensions could force other marketers to comply, potentially reducing the daily losses Nigerians face at filling stations.