In a stunning development for Nigeria’s energy sector, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has issued 83 refinery licenses, dramatically boosting the country’s refining capacity to a combined total of 1,124,500 barrels per day.
Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association (PETROAN), hailed the move as “a clear indication that the oil sector in Nigeria is becoming increasingly attractive to investors.” He emphasized the critical importance of making crude oil available to these local refineries to ensure their success.
The licensing breakthrough includes 8 refineries with Licenses to Operate, 30 with Licenses to Construct, and 45 with Licenses to Establish. This expansion has already shown dramatic results, with petrol imports plummeting from 44.6 million liters per day in August 2024 to just 14.7 million liters per day by April 13, 2025.
Gillis-Harry highlighted two key benefits of ensuring crude oil availability for local refineries: increased domestic production of petroleum products, reducing reliance on imports and conserving foreign exchange; and job creation that will stimulate economic growth as refineries operate at optimal capacity.
“As we move forward, PETROAN will continue to collaborate with the NMDPRA and other industry players to address challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities. We are confident that Nigeria’s petroleum industry will experience significant growth and transformation in the coming years,” he added.
Source: Oriental News Ng
