Energy law experts are calling on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to enforce policies that guarantee fair competition, transparent operations, and consumer protection in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.
Amid growing concerns over monopolistic tendencies in the industry, experts warned that allowing a single dominant player to dictate prices poses a serious risk to market health and could leave consumers vulnerable. FCCPC’s inaction in a key legal case involving Dangote and the NMDPRANMDPRA, questioning why the consumer protection agency did not appeal a court ruling that barred it from participating in the litigation, despite its mandate to safeguard consumer interests.
Petroleum law expert Taiwo Ogunleye emphasized the need for a competitive environment where multiple market players can operate freely under fair and transparent rules. He called on the government to strictly enforce regulations that prevent market abuse and ensure a level playing field. Ogunleye highlighted harmful practices such as price fixing, predatory pricing, discriminatory tariffs, market monopolisation, and infrastructure access denial, stressing that such actions distort the market, deter innovation, and hurt consumer welfare.
Israel Aye, a senior partner at The Commercial and Energy Law Practice and founder of 1worq, reinforced the argument by linking the lack of competition in Nigeria’s power sector to its sluggish development. He noted that competition is critical for driving down prices, improving service quality, encouraging innovation, and promoting transparency.
Aye also pointed out that Nigeria’s petroleum laws already provide a framework for ensuring competition. He cited Section 8(1)(d) of the Petroleum Industry Act, which mandates the NMDPRA to ensure fair pricing and competition, and Sections 120–127 of the FCCPC Act, which authorize the FCCPC to investigate and act on anti-competitive behavior across all sectors.
He urged the government to not only enforce these provisions but also strengthen the independence and accountability of regulatory institutions, warning that failure to do so could stall progress, stifle innovation, and harm consumers in one of the country’s most critical economic sectors.
