The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has introduced draft regulations aimed at outlawing anti-competitive practices in the country’s petroleum sector, including fuel price fixing, supply restrictions, market allocation and coordinated commercial decisions that undermine fair competition.

The proposed Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Prevention of Anti-Competitive Practices and Behaviour Regulations, 2026 would also prohibit practices such as pump price coordination, the creation of artificial fuel scarcity, bid rigging, customer allocation, exclusive supply agreements and the exchange of commercially sensitive information among competing firms.

The draft regulations target a wide range of anti-competitive practices, including pump price coordination, the creation of artificial fuel scarcity, bid rigging, customer allocation, exclusive supply agreements and the exchange of commercially sensitive information among competing firms.

The proposal comes amid renewed scrutiny of pricing practices in the downstream petroleum sector after independent marketers alleged in July that some major fuel importers were coordinating the sale of imported Premium Motor Spirit at prices significantly higher than those offered by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

In a public notice issued on Thursday via its official X account, the Authority invited licensees, permit holders and other stakeholders to submit comments on the draft regulations within 21 days, in line with Section 216(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which mandates stakeholder consultation before regulations are finalised.

The notice, signed by the Authority’s Chief Executive, Rabiu A. Umar, said stakeholders could access the draft regulations on the Authority’s website and submit their comments before the consultation period expires.

It added that a stakeholders’ consultation forum on the proposed regulations would take place on September 22, 2026, at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja, providing industry participants an opportunity to review and discuss the draft before it is finalised.

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.”

Under Part IV, titled Collusive Agreements and Anti-Competitive Coordination, the draft regulations prohibit petroleum companies from entering into formal or informal arrangements aimed at fixing prices, allocating markets or otherwise coordinating commercial activities in ways that distort competition.