By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has begun consultations with industry stakeholders on new regulations aimed at curbing anti-competitive practices in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
This comes as the Authority Chief Executive, Mallam Rabiu Umar, held a consultative forum with the stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday.
The consultation focused on the draft Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Prevention of Anti-Competitive Practices and Behaviour Regulations, 2026, developed in line with Section 216 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Opening the session, Umar said clear and effective regulation was necessary to create certainty for investors, promote fair competition and protect the integrity of the petroleum market.
Umar urged stakeholders to bring their practical industry experience into the consultation process, saying their contributions would help strengthen the proposed regulations.
Presenting the draft framework, the Authority Secretary/Legal Adviser, Dr. Joseph Tolorunse, outlined some of its major provisions. These include open access to petroleum infrastructure, a ban on cartels and collusion, greater pricing transparency and measures to prevent companies from abusing dominant market positions.
The proposed regulations will also give the Authority greater oversight of contracts and mergers that could affect competition, while introducing provisions for emerging areas such as digital markets and the use of artificial intelligence in pricing.
The framework further provides for collaboration between the NMDPRA and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to strengthen competition oversight in the petroleum industry.
Under the proposed rules, the NMDPRA would have powers to monitor market activities, investigate suspected violations and impose corrective measures where anti-competitive conduct is established.
The Authority also advised industry players to review their pricing structures, infrastructure access arrangements, transactions involving affiliated companies and internal governance systems as consultations on the draft regulations continue.
The consultation is expected to provide an opportunity for operators and other stakeholders to raise concerns and make recommendations before the regulations are finalised.
