The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has called on the newly appointed chief executives of Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory bodies to focus on boosting local refining capacity and crude production growth. The appeal targets reducing dependence on imported fuels.
Okay News reports that CPPE issued the statement following leadership changes at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Saidu Aliyu Mohammed assumed duty as NMDPRA Chief Executive after Ahmed Farouk‘s resignation. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan took over at NUPRC from Gbenga Komolafe.
CPPE stressed deliberate support for domestic refineries as non-negotiable. Policies should favour locally refined products through fiscal, regulatory, and infrastructural incentives.
“Nigeria must end the current distortion whereby imported petroleum products are made to compete with locally refined products under unequal regulatory and fiscal conditions,” CPPE noted.
“Genuine competition only exists when all operators function within the same policy, tax and regulatory environment,” it added.
Strong local refining builds energy security, job creation, foreign exchange conservation, and macroeconomic stability. It enables export-oriented capacity.
NMDPRA should centre domestic refining in its framework. This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s Nigeria-First and industrialisation agenda.
For NUPRC, CPPE urged prioritising investments in onshore and offshore assets. Nigeria must maximise hydrocarbon value amid global energy transition.
“The NUPRC should prioritise production growth, investment facilitation and improved security, with a clear national objective of raising crude oil output to a minimum of two million barrels per day,” CPPE advised.
Expanded gas production and compliance with domestic crude supply obligations to local refineries are critical.
CPPE commended President Tinubu for resetting regulatory architecture. New leaders have opportunity to advance energy sovereignty and self-reliance.
“The new leadership of Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory institutions must urgently refocus sector priorities on reducing import dependence, expanding domestic capacity and catalysing investment across the entire oil and gas value chain,” CPPE stated.
This call follows downstream controversies. Aliko Dangote accused prior NMDPRA leadership of undermining local refining through import licences and inaccurate reporting.
The statement reinforces needs for supportive regulation. It promotes Nigeria’s shift to self-sufficient petroleum supply.
 has called on the newly appointed chief executives of Nigeria's petroleum regulatory bodies to focus on boosting local refining capacity and crude production growth. The appeal targets reducing dependence on imported fuels.){kind=link}