The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has called for a stakeholders’ consultation on the proposed Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Prevention of Anti-Competitive Practices and Behaviour Regulations.

In a public notice posted on its official X handle yesterday, the Authority invited licensees, permit holders and other stakeholders to submit comments on the proposed regulations within 21 days, in compliance with Section 216(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which requires stakeholder consultation before regulations are finalised.

The notice, signed by the Authority’s Chief Executive, Rabiu A. Umar, stated that stakeholders could review the draft regulations on the Authority’s website and submit observations before the consultation period closes.

It added that a stakeholders’ consultation forum on the proposed regulations would be held on September 22, 2026, at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja.

The notice read in part, “In compliance with Section 216(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 requiring consultation with stakeholders before the finalisation of Regulations, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority hereby invites licensees, permit holders and other stakeholders to make submissions within twenty-one (21) days from the date of this publication in respect of the proposed Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Prevention of Anti-Competitive Practices and Behaviour Regulations.”

It added, “Stakeholders are enjoined to visit the Authority’s website to review the proposed Regulations. All submissions are to be made using the format accessible on the Authority’s website and must be received not later than 21 days from the date of this notice.”

The proposed Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Prevention of Anti-Competitive Practices and Behaviour Regulations, 2026, seek to dismantle anti-competitive conduct ranging from pump price coordination and artificial scarcity to bid rigging, customer allocation, exclusive supply arrangements and the exchange of commercially sensitive information among competitors.

The move comes amid renewed concerns over pricing practices in the downstream petroleum sector following allegations by independent marketers in July that some major fuel importers were selling imported Premium Motor Spirit at coordinated prices significantly above those of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

A review of the draft regulations showed that the Authority intends to outlaw virtually every form of coordinated conduct capable of weakening competition in the petroleum market.

Under Part IV, titled Collusive Agreements and Anti-Competitive Coordination, the draft regulations prohibit petroleum companies from entering into formal or informal agreements designed to influence prices, allocate markets or manipulate commercial outcomes.

The draft states, “No licensee, market participant, or group of undertakings in the midstream or downstream petroleum sector shall enter into any agreement, arrangement, understanding, or concerted practice, whether formal or informal, written or oral, explicit or tacit, that has the object or effect of preventing, restricting, or distorting competition.”

The regulations specifically identify price-fixing or coordinated pricing behaviour as prohibited conduct (Daily trust)