THUR JULY 16 2026-theGBJournal| The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Wednesday convened a strategic meeting with members of the Crude Oil Refinery-Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) to strengthen regulatory collaboration and address issues affecting the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s refining industry.
The engagement, chaired by the Authority Chief Executive, Mallam Rabiu Ahmed Umar, brought together regulators and operators of modular and conventional refineries for discussions on policy, licensing and operational challenges facing the sector.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of an ongoing debate over the availability of crude oil for domestic refiners, with industry operators urging authorities to ensure that the domestic crude supply obligations provided under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are effectively implemented to guarantee feedstock for local processing.
According to the regulator, discussions centred on improving regulatory compliance, streamlining licensing procedures and resolving operational bottlenecks that continue to affect refinery development and operations.
Participants also examined measures to encourage fresh investment in refining while ensuring facilities comply with safety, environmental and technical standards.
NMDPRA said the dialogue formed part of its broader strategy to create a transparent, predictable and investment-friendly regulatory environment capable of supporting the Federal Government’s objective of expanding local refining capacity, strengthening energy security and reducing the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
Both parties also explored practical steps to improve regulatory efficiency, deepen collaboration between government and industry, and accelerate the implementation of reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to unlock further investment across the downstream sector.
The regulator reaffirmed its commitment to sustained engagement with industry stakeholders, describing continuous dialogue as essential to building a competitive and self-sufficient refining industry capable of meeting Nigeria’s growing domestic fuel demand while supporting broader economic development.
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