NMDPRA Targets Fuel Price Fixing, Artificial Scarcity with New Rules
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has proposed sweeping new regulations to curb fuel price fixing, artificial scarcity and other anti-competitive practices in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
The draft Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Prevention of Anti-Competitive Practices and Behaviour Regulations, 2026 seeks to strengthen competition by prohibiting agreements or coordinated actions capable of distorting the country’s petroleum market.
In a public notice issued on Thursday, the Authority invited licence holders, permit holders and other stakeholders to review the proposed regulations and submit comments within 21 days, in accordance with Section 216(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.
Under the draft framework, petroleum operators would be barred from jointly fixing pump or ex-depot prices, limiting fuel supply, allocating customers or territories, manipulating bids, or exchanging commercially sensitive information capable of influencing market behaviour.
The proposed rules also seek to outlaw market-sharing arrangements, bid rigging, collusive tendering and coordinated actions aimed at restricting production, imports or fuel distribution to create artificial shortages or influence prices.
In addition, companies would be prohibited from sharing future pricing strategies, production schedules, customer information and marketing plans where such disclosures could weaken competition.
NMDPRA said stakeholders can access the draft regulations on its official website, while a public consultation has been scheduled for September 22, 2026, at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to the Authority, the proposed regulations are designed to strengthen market transparency, promote fair competition and provide a stronger legal framework for investigating and sanctioning anti-competitive conduct across the petroleum sector.
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