NMDPRA sets December 9 deadline for Dangote, marketers to comment on pricing framework

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has given Dangote Refinery, petroleum marketers, importers and other industry stakeholders until December 9, 2026 to submit comments on a proposed Petroleum Products Pricing Framework.

The notice was signed by the Authority Chief Executive, Rabiu Abdullahi Umar. It announces a 21-day consultation period for operators to examine the proposal and make recommendations before formal adoption.

What the consultation covers

The NMDPRA said the exercise complies with Sections 32 and 122 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, which provide for stakeholder engagement in developing regulatory frameworks.

The consultation covers licensed refiners such as Dangote Refinery, petroleum importers, wholesale suppliers, independent marketers, depot operators, terminal owners, transporters, distributors and industry associations.

Participants are expected to review the proposed framework and provide technical and commercial recommendations that could shape its implementation. The regulator said the initiative seeks to promote transparency, competition and efficiency in petroleum product pricing while maintaining appropriate regulatory oversight.

No immediate pump price directive

The proposed framework comes amid continued adjustments in petrol and diesel prices, with consumers and businesses monitoring changes in refinery, depot and retail prices.

A clearer pricing structure could improve transparency in how petroleum products are priced and help stakeholders understand the factors behind market adjustments. However, the consultation does not amount to an immediate government directive fixing petrol pump prices. The eventual impact on consumers will depend on the provisions adopted after consultations and how they are implemented.

Submission details and forum

Interested stakeholders can visit the NMDPRA website at www.nmdpra.gov.ng to obtain the consultation document and prescribed submission format. Completed submissions must be addressed to the Executive Director, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning Directorate, through [email protected] no later than December 9, 2026.

The authority has also scheduled a stakeholders consultation forum for January 5, 2027 in Abuja, beginning at 10 a.m. The meeting will give industry participants another opportunity to discuss the proposed guidelines before further regulatory decisions are taken.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has also unveiled a revised list of 25 petroleum marketers authorised to distribute its petrol across Nigeria. The list reduces its previous consortium of 37 companies, removing 12 marketers, amid fresh changes to the refinery petrol pricing system.