By Faridat Salifu
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is set to introduce a new licensing regime for lubricant importation as part of efforts to combat the influx of substandard products into the country.
The announcement was made during a stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja on Wednesday by NMDPRA Chief Executive, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, who was represented by Francis Ogaree, Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Community Sustainability (HPPITI).
According to the Authority, the licensing system will regulate the importation of lubricants by enforcing quality control and ensuring only authorised and traceable importers operate in the Nigerian market.
The measure includes the deployment of a new Lubricant Importation Module on the Lube Oil Blending Plant (LOBP) Portal, which will digitise and monitor all applications, clearances, and approvals in real time.
Integrated with the Nigeria Customs Service’s BÓdugwu platform, the module is expected to improve compliance, reduce fraud, and streamline regulatory oversight.
NMDPRA says the reform is anchored on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which mandates quality assurance and safety across all petroleum product value chains, including lubricants.
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Ahmed described the move as a strategic intervention to sanitise the lubricant sector, protect consumers, and align with Nigeria’s broader industrialisation and quality enforcement objectives.
However, the policy has drawn concern from the Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN), which says the initiative may reverse recent industry gains.
LUPAN Executive Secretary, Mr. Emeka Obidike, warned that the licensing could negatively impact existing blending plants, discourage investment, and jeopardise over 200,000 jobs in the sector.
Obidike added that the decision also risks undermining the lubricant policy currently under development by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and contradicts Nigeria’s backward integration agenda.
In contrast, NMDPRA officials insist the licensing is not a trade restriction but a quality assurance mechanism to support local capacity and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on inferior imports.
Director of Liquids at HPPITI, Mrs. Ngozi Nwankwo, said only companies that meet compliance and traceability requirements will be granted import licences.
She noted that the goal is to eliminate low-grade imports, enhance transparency, and strengthen the domestic lubricant ecosystem in line with global best practices.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to engaging stakeholders and implementing the programme without disrupting genuine operators.
