Business
Oil Marketers and Dangote Battle in Court Over Import Licences
Three oil marketers, AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.
The marketers, in a joint counter affidavit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, and dated November 5, 2024, a response to an originating summon filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, argued that granting the application of refinery would spell doom for the country’s oil sector.
They emphasised that the plan to monopolise the oil sector is a recipe for disaster in the country.
Dangote refinery in its originating summon dated September 6, 2024, had sued Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited as 1st to 7th defendants respectively.
The refinery prayed the court to declare that NMDPRA was in violation of Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licenses for the importation of petroleum products.
It stated that such licenses should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.
It also urged the court to declare that NMDPRA is in violation of its statutory responsibilities under the PIA for not encouraging local refineries such as the company.
Shafa, A. A. Rano, and Matrix Petroleum, however, responded that Dangote refinery does not produce adequate petroleum products for the daily consumption of Nigerians.
They noted that the plaintiff had not placed anything before the court to prove the contrary.
They argued that they are well qualified and entitled to be issued an import licence by NMDPRA to import petroleum products.
They argued that they are well qualified and entitled to be issued an import licence by NMDPRA to import petroleum products in Nigeria within the meaning of Section 317(9) of the PIA.
They also noted that they are fully qualified for the issuance of the import licences issued to them by the 1st defendant, as they duly met all the legal requirements for the issuance of such import licences, before the same were issued to them.
“The import licences lawfully and validly issued to the defendants did not in any way whatsoever, cripple the plaintiff’s business or its refinery.
“The import licenses issued to the defendants by the 1st defendant are in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, and other relevant laws,” they contended.
They insisted that giving Dangote Refinery the power of monopoly in Nigeria’s petroleum industry as it sought in the instant suit, would kill competitive pricing of petroleum products in the country.
Business
Iran-US-Israel war Drives Dangote Refinery’s PMS to N874
Several depot owners suspended PMS sales because of the crude rally. The market is already factoring in risk premiums. Nobody wants to sell below replacement cost,” a downstream operator was quoted as saying.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reviewed the price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) gantry price by N100, bringing the ex-depot rate to N874 per litre from the previous N774, as international crude oil prices surged past $80 per barrel due to the ongoing U.S – Israeli war against Iran.
A senior refinery official who confirmed the adjustment on Monday, said that the price has been reviewed.
” The new gantry price is now N874 per litre, up from N774. The revision became necessary due to changes in global crude fundamentals and replacement costs,” the official said.
Checks on petroleumprice.ng indicate that the new pricing has already been implemented, signaling a shift in downstream benchmarks that will likely affect petrol retail prices across the country.
The price hike followed the refinery’s suspension of petrol loading operations, effective midnight on March 2, 2026.
Industry data showed that PMS loading and issuance of proforma invoices were temporarily halted, although the suspension applied only to petrol, while Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) continued to load uninterrupted.
The refinery’s move triggered a ripple effect across Nigeria’s downstream sector, with several private depot owners halting petrol sales during the trading day.
“Several depot owners suspended PMS sales because of the crude rally. The market is already factoring in risk premiums. Nobody wants to sell below replacement cost,” a downstream operator was quoted as saying.
Business
Global Links and Services Ltd adds Namibia to its Tourism Packages
Tony Onwuchekwa, the company’s Group Director of Communications, who disclosed this, and advocates for policy changes to ease intra-African travel.
• Tony Onwuchekwa, Group Director of Communications
Global Links and Services Ltd (operating as Global Links Travel & Tours), a fully licensed IATA Travel Agency based in Nigeria, says that it’s poised to integrate Namibia into its tours and pilgrimage offerings.
Tony Onwuchekwa, the company’s Group Director of Communications, who disclosed this, and advocates for policy changes to ease intra-African travel.
Onwuchekwa said that the motivation to add Namibia to its travel destinations package was ignited by it’s participation in the just ended Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and South African Airways (SAA) B2B Stakeholders Meeting in Windhoek.
He emphasised that with over 20 years of experience in crafting seamless travel experiences across Nigeria and beyond, Global Links and Services Ltd is poised to advance intra-Africa tourism, experiential travel, and investment opportunities in Namibia, aligning with its mission to transform travel dreams into reality through expertly curated itineraries, flights, tours, hotels, transfers, study abroad services, and faith-based pilgrimages.
According to him, the company has gained firsthand insights to develop authentic, budget-friendly packages that highlight Namibia’s cultural heritage, wildlife, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) potential.
“Global Links is committed to bridging Africa’s tourism gaps through strategic collaborations and immersive experiences,” said Tony Onwuchekwa.
“This event aligns perfectly with our vision of linking clients to the world’s wonders, and going forward, we’ll leverage our expertise in promoting African destinations to position Namibia as a must-visit hub for bleisure and adventure travellers,” he said.
Business
Satchets Alcohol Manufacturers Cry Out to Tinubu to Overide “NAFDAC’s Ban
The Senate, in its own wisdom, did not hear from other parties before the present situation we find ourselves in. This is, therefore, not a regulation; this is calculated economic suffocation.
• Collage : NAFDAC DG, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye; FOBTOB President, Jimoh Oyibo.
THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) ban on local production and distribution of sachets alcohol and 10cl PET bottles have started telling on the economy, according to the Food and Beverage Producers union- FOBTOB., prompting their calls for intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , his cabinet and other well meaning Nigerians, to :
“Let the factories be reopened.Let the warehouses be unsealed.Let the depots be reopened.Let regulation replace repression.Let dialogue replace destruction.Let policy replace punishment.”
Jimoh Oyibo, President of FOBTOB, at a press conference in Lagos, paints the grim pictures of the ban , barley in its two months :
” Across the country, indigenous manufacturing companies, especially factories are being shut down. Depots are being closed. Warehouses are being locked including those that contain multiple other lawful products not connected to the targeted items.
“The consequences are already visible because workers are losing their jobs daily. Families have started to loose their income, businesses collapsing, supply chains breaking, tax revenues to the Federal Government reducing,” he said.
He emphasised that above all, local investment confidence is being destroyed, and that an economy cannot survive when industries are shut down instead of regulated.
Read Also: Are The Ministers of industry Leaving Manufacturers To Face Challenges?

The speech reads:
” Gentlemen and Ladies of the press and fellow Nigerians, we address you today February 26, 2026 with deep pain, growing fear, and a heavy sense of injustice over the ongoing actions of under the leadership of Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General.
This approach is creating widespread confusion, fear, and economic paralysis and we are compelled to ask Professor Mojisola Adeyeye the following questions.
What is her real motive behind this method of enforcement?
Why are entire facilities being shut down instead of applying controlled, targeted regulation?
Why are lawful businesses, workers, transporters, retailers, and suppliers being collectively punished?
The fact is undeniable that all stakeholders met including the House committe on alcohol of the House of Representatives, Honorable Minister of Health, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye,
The Nigerian Police, Customs, Immigration, Federal Road safety corps, manufacturers, Road transport Unions and many other representatives where this issue of alcohol intake by underaged was discussed and the general resolution was access control, massive enlightenment and educational sensitisation drive amongst other resolutions and not total ban as been carried out by Professor Mojisola Adeyeye.
While a policy document which was to serve as a National guide was being awaited, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye rushed behind everyone to approach the Senate for total ban.
The Senate, in its own wisdom, did not hear from other parties before the present situation we find ourselves in. This is, therefore, not a regulation; this is calculated economic suffocation.
children whom she claimed to be protecting are being forced out of school and embracing uncontrolled vices including forced labor or prostitution, with signs of increase in poverty and without doubt, crime risks will rise and this can be a security problem to Nigeria.
We reject the idea that total bans and mass shutdowns are solutions.
Access control is better than total prohibition.
Regulation is better than destruction.
Enlightenment is better than force.
Structured policy is better than blanket punishment.Cutting off a head is not the cure for a headache.
Dialogue is always stronger than destruction.Reform is better than repression.
Control is better than collapse.Factories are not just buildings, they are ecosystems that revolve round – Transporters who are into haulage- Raw material suppliers- Distributors- Retailers- Market women- Artisans- Warehouse operators- Support services- Logistics workers All of them are now suffering because of this policy direction.
We are therefore making this national appeal:
To the Federal Government of Nigeria
To the conscience of leadership
To the defenders of democracy
To the guardians of the economy
Please intervene and prevail on Professor Mojisola Adeyeye for a rethink
Please speak to the conscience of leadership. Stop Professor Mojisola Adeyeye before she destroy Nigeria and Nigerians.
We have no other country to call ours. 2027 elections are fast approaching and this is not the time to loose jobs.We are not criminals.
We are not kidnappers.We are not robbers.We are not extremists.We are not enemies of the state.We are workers.
We are producers.We are parents.We are taxpayers.We are citizens.
We are Nigerians.The only work we know is factory work.
The only livelihood we have is production.The only dignity we have is honest labor.We therefore appeal strongly and respectfully: .
Total bans are not the way forward.Controlled access is the way forward.Education is the way forward.Regulation is the way forward.
Partnership is the way forward.We bring this message before the press, please help circulate our pleas.
We bring it before the nation, this is a security crisis in the making.We bring it before the world, Nigeria is too volatile for another crisis.
This is our appeal.
This is our cry.This is our plea.
This is our stand.Let our industries and factories live.
Let our people work and contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
Let our economy breathe, not to suffocate.”
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