By Udeme Akpan,    Energy Editor 

Nigeria’s downstream petroleum regulator has approved a fresh round of fuel import permits for major oil marketers as concerns grow over domestic supply level.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) issued the new approvals to selected marketers for the third quarter of 2026, covering the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), or diesel.

The latest approvals, which cover the July-to-September period, were granted to companies including Matrix Energy, AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Nipco and Pinnacle, according to industry sources.

The move is part of efforts to ensure market stability and prevent possible supply disruptions amid declining stock levels and reduced gasoline output from Nigeria’s largest refinery.

Sources familiar with the approvals said AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Matrix Energy, Nipco and Pinnacle were authorised to import petrol, while AA Rano, AYM Shafa, Bono, Matrix Energy and Pinnacle received approval to bring in diesel. The new permits follow an earlier batch of petrol import licences issued in May. Although the latest approvals were initially expected by June 15, industry sources said they were finalised after some delays.

Under the new allocation, AA Rano and Matrix Energy received approval to import 180,000 metric tonnes of petrol each, while Pinnacle was allocated 150,000 metric tonnes and AYM Shafa 120,000 metric tonnes.

For diesel, AYM Shafa received approval for 60,000 metric tonnes, while Pinnacle was cleared for 45,000 metric tonnes.

Additional approvals may still be issued, with total petrol import allocations expected to surpass 800,000 metric tonnes when the regulatory exercise is concluded.

The latest regulatory action comes against the backdrop of tightening fuel inventories.

NMDPRA data showed that petrol stock sufficiency declined to 16 days in May, while diesel inventory cover stood at 31 days during the same period. The fresh permits were issued at a time when international gasoline and diesel prices have weakened, potentially improving the profitability of fuel imports for Nigerian marketers.

ByElizabeth Adegbesan 

Net Foreign exchange (forex) into the economy fell  by 24 per cent, month-on-month, MoM to $6.92 billion in February from $9.22 billion recorded the previous month. 

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN disclosed this in its monthly economic report for February 2026.

The report showed that  the decline in net forex was driven by a 22.9 per cent, MoM  decline in foreign exchange inflow into the economy during the month, which cancelled the impact of a 16.9 per cent, MoM decline in foreign exchange outflow. 

The CBN said: “Foreign exchange flows through the economy resulted in a net inflow of $6.92 billion, compared with $9.22 billion in January 2026. 

“Aggregate foreign exchange inflow decreased to $9.43 billion, from $12.23 billion in January. Aggregate foreign exchange outflow also decreased to $2.50 billion, from $3.01 billion in the preceding month. “Foreign exchange inflow through the Bank (CBN)  fell to $3.09 billion, from $4.66 billion in January 2026. Similarly, autonomous inflow fell to $6.34 billion, from $7.57 billion. 

“Outflow through the Bank rose to $1.75 billion, from $1.57 billion in the preceding month. In contrast, autonomous outflow decreased to $0.75 billion, from $1.44 billion. Consequently, flows through the Bank and autonomous sources resulted in net inflows of $1.34 billion and $5.58 billion, respectively, compared with $3.09 billion and $6.14 billion in the preceding month.  

“While highly positive, these figures represent a step down from the $3.09 billion and $6.14 billion recorded by the Bank and autonomous sources  respectively in the preceding month, pointing to a cooling period in overall foreign capital activity.”

By Etop Ekanem

Fidson Healthcare Plc has commended the Bank of Industry (BoI) for providing concessionary financing that has supported the growth of pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria.

The commendation followed a visit by delegations from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and BoI to Fidson’s manufacturing facility in Sango-Ota, Ogun State.

The visit was part of the implementation of the €50 million healthcare financing partnership between EIB Global and BoI aimed at boosting local production of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other critical healthcare products.

Speaking during the visit, Executive Director, Corporate Finance and Sustainability at BoI, Mr. Rotimi Akinde, representing the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BoI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, described Fidson as one of Nigeria’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

He said the bank has maintained a strong relationship with Fidson since 2010, providing concessionary financing to support its expansion plans.

“Over the years, we have provided concessionary financing to support its expansion plans, and the company has grown significantly as a result of that partnership,” Akinde stated.

Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, Mr. Ambroise Fayolle, said Fidson was among the first beneficiaries of the EIB-BoI healthcare financing programme.

“A few months after signing the €50 million health financing agreement with the Bank of Industry, I am pleased to visit one of the first beneficiaries of this credit line, Fidson Healthcare, one of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers in Nigeria,” he said.

Managing Director of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Biola Adebayo, said BoI’s support has been instrumental in the company’s growth.

According to him, Fidson’s workforce has expanded from about 250 employees in 2010 to approximately 1,800 employees today, while the financing also enabled investments in green manufacturing and environmentally friendly production processes.