Matrix, AA Rano, AYM Shafa Seek to Join Dangote Refinery’s N100 Billion Import Licence Suit Against AGF

Three major oil marketers—Matrix Energy, AA Rano, and AYM Shafa—have applied to join the fresh N100 billion import licence suit filed by Dangote Refinery against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The motion, dated June 16, 2026, argues that they are necessary parties without whom the case cannot be fully determined.

Background of the Suit

Dangote Petroleum Refinery filed a fresh lawsuit seeking to void all import licences issued or renewed by the AGF or the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The refinery is also asking the court to “seal off all tank farms, storage facilities, warehouses and stations” used by licence holders to store imported petroleum products, arguing that Nigeria is not experiencing a petroleum supply shortfall. The refinery listed the AGF as the sole defendant, reigniting tensions over petrol importation in Nigeria.

What the Oil Marketers Are Saying

In their Motion on Notice, filed by Ahmed Raji, SAN, and Sir Chris Ekemezie, the trio seeks an order joining them as defendants. They maintain that they are licensed by the NMDPRA to import and distribute petroleum products and have done so for more than two decades, long before “Dangote Refinery’s foray into the said sector.”

The applicants argued that they, along with other licensed major oil marketers, have invested more than $20 billion in infrastructure, logistics, and retail networks to support their operations. They alleged that since Dangote Refinery commenced operations, it has championed calls for the cessation of petroleum product imports, citing Aliko Dangote’s calls for refined petroleum products to be included on the list of items banned under the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy.

The marketers further alleged that the pending action seeks to force competitors out of business and entrench a monopoly, which they say is prohibited by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). They argued that if the refinery’s prayers are granted, the consequences for their businesses, employees, the oil and gas industry, and the Nigerian economy would be unquantified. They also urged the court to hold that the suit amounts to an abuse of court process, given that an earlier import licence suit by the refinery was dismissed by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Court Proceedings and Status

In April 2026, the refinery filed an ex parte motion seeking an interim injunction restraining the AGF, NMDPRA, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and NNPC from issuing or renewing import licences pending the determination of its Motion on Notice. However, the trial court, presided over by Justice C. J. Aneke, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo. In its Motion on Notice, the refinery accused the NMDPRA of proceeding to issue import licences in what it described as an “active breach of the orders of the court.” The matter has been adjourned until October 7, 2026.

Broader Context and Previous Legal Battle

This is not the first time Dangote Refinery has challenged fuel import licences. In 2025, it filed a similar suit seeking to nullify licences granted to NNPC Ltd, AYM Shafa Ltd, AA Rano Ltd, T. Time Petroleum Ltd, 2015 Petroleum Ltd, and Matrix Petroleum Services Ltd, also seeking N100 billion in damages. However, in July 2025, Dangote Refinery unexpectedly withdrew the lawsuit, telling the court: “Take notice that the plaintiff herein discontinues this suit against the defendants forthwith.”

Nigeria has historically depended heavily on imported petrol due to poor performance of state-owned refineries. The emergence of Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train refinery, has significantly altered fuel supply dynamics. Recent data showed that petrol imports fell to about 965.52 million litres in Q1 2026, down from 2.43 billion litres in Q1 2025, a 60.2% year-on-year decline. Meanwhile, supply from local refineries rose from 1.996 billion litres in Q1 2025 to 3.179 billion litres in Q1 2026, a 59.2% increase. Domestic refineries accounted for roughly 76.7% of Nigeria’s total petrol supply in the first quarter of 2026.

What This Means for the Naira and Nigerian Businesses

The outcome of this legal battle could reshape Nigeria’s fuel import landscape. If the court sides with Dangote Refinery, a sharp reduction in imports may lower demand for foreign exchange used to purchase petrol, potentially easing pressure on the naira. However, it could also disrupt the operations of established marketers, affecting thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in invested infrastructure. For consumers, reduced competition could influence pump prices, especially if local refining capacity is not yet sufficient to fully replace imports.