The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced plans to commence the issuance of import licences for lubricants as part of a strategic effort to curb the influx of substandard and counterfeit products into the country.

The Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ workshop held in Abuja on Wednesday. Represented by Francis Ogaree, Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Technical Standards (HPPITI), Ahmed said the move was in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and aims to improve quality control, transparency, and efficiency in the petroleum downstream sector.

“The NMDPRA will begin the issuance of licences for lubricant importation to curb the influx of substandard and counterfeit lubricants into the country,” Ahmed said, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

To support the new licensing regime, the Authority has unveiled a Lubricant Importation Module on the Lube Oil Blending Plant (LOBP) Portal. This digital platform, integrated with the Nigeria Customs Service’s BÓdugwu platform, will streamline application processes, facilitate faster approvals, and enable real-time monitoring of imports.

The regulatory agency emphasized that only compliant and traceable companies will be licensed, ensuring that lubricant imports meet safety and performance standards. Ahmed noted that this initiative will foster a transparent and quality-driven import system aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s industrialisation goals to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products and encourage local production.

Providing further insight, the Director of Liquids at HPPITI, Mrs. Ngozi Nwankwo, stated that the new framework seeks to protect consumers, machinery, and local industries by phasing out low-quality imports and boosting investor confidence in the lubricant sector.

However, the Executive Director of the Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN), Mr. Emeka Obidike, raised concerns that the policy could harm domestic lubricant producers and potentially impact over 200,000 direct jobs. He warned that it might also undermine the lubricant policy currently being developed by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and contradict the government’s backward integration objectives.

In response, Ahmed assured stakeholders that the licensing initiative is not designed to stifle trade but to enhance standards and protect Nigeria’s petroleum ecosystem. He reaffirmed NMDPRA’s commitment to balancing regulation with industry growth, promoting a safer and more efficient downstream sector.

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