The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) have moved to challenge a lawsuit filed by Dangote Refinery seeking to stop the issuance and renewal of fuel import licences in Nigeria.
The suit, pending before the Federal High Court in Lagos, is seeking to restrain authorities from approving imports of PMS, AGO, and Jet A1, with Dangote Refinery arguing that its refining capacity can meet national demand.
However, NNPC warned that granting the request could threaten Nigeria’s energy security and disrupt its statutory role as supplier of last resort under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The national oil company also argued that the suit mirrors an earlier case filed in 2024 and insisted that no official Backward Integration Policy has been activated to justify the restrictions sought by the refinery.
The court has fixed May 13 for further proceedings, with all parties directed to maintain the status quo pending determination of the case.
