CLAIM: “In 2025, NNPC imported PMS, defying government pledges to stop importing fuel.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
SCORING: FALSE According to a recent news article on various channels, a refining industry operator brought a significant amount of PMS into the nation. To elucidate these assertions, the NMDPRA, the regulatory body, organized a news conference. All manufacturing and imports into the nation must be licensed by NMDPRA, which is also in charge of supply monitoring. Additionally, it is responsible for making sure Nigeria can always reach its fuel sufficiency goals. THE FACTS: THIS YEAR, HAS AN OMC (OIL MARKETING COMPANY) WITH A REFINERY IMPORTED PMS? No! “None of the OMCs that own refineries in the country have imported any PMS this year,” the NMDPRA explained during a news briefing.
VERIFIING THE FACTS: As of the press conference, NNPC, an OMC that owns refineries, is in this category and has not imported PMS into Nigeria in 2025. Dangote Refinery hasn’t either. As they increase their output and efficiency, both refineries can now only meet less than 50% of Nigeria’s PMS needs. PIA 2021 Framework: WHAT IS IT?
Market liberalization is guaranteed under the PIA 2021. This implies that any player who has been properly licensed by the authorities may ask to be granted permission to import in the case of a shortage or scarcity. “Licensed operators, including refineries, are permitted to import products to meet national demand,” Ogbugo Ukoha stated during the press conference. This avoids scarcity and guarantees sufficiency. To make up for the less than 50% shortage in domestic output, PMS is currently only imported by independent OMCs (non-refinery owners).
Context of the Current Supply: • Daily PMS Demand: approximately 50 million liters (down from 66 million prior to the subsidy). • Local refineries currently account for less than half of supplies; production is being scaled up by private and modular refineries. • Imports: Currently, under NMDPRA supervision, independent OMCs fill the void. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: The public’s trust in the PIA’s market-driven reforms is weakened by false information on PMS import activity. The NMDPRA affirms that all import statistics can be independently verified by the public via authorized sources.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
