Reps committee seeks legislative role in NMDPRA–Dangote dispute

The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream) has called for enhanced legislative engagement to address regulatory challenges in Nigeria’s petroleum midstream sector, including the ongoing dispute between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Dangote Refinery. The call was made at a capacity-building workshop organised by the committee to […]

The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream) has called for enhanced legislative engagement to address regulatory challenges in Nigeria’s petroleum midstream sector, including the ongoing dispute between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Dangote Refinery.

The call was made at a capacity-building workshop organised by the committee to strengthen legislative oversight, policy coherence and long-term planning in the midstream segment of the oil and gas industry.

The workshop, themed “Midstream Sector Overview and Strategic Future Chart for Seamless Processing,” brought together lawmakers, regulators, industry experts and other stakeholders to examine ways of improving efficiency, expanding infrastructure and promoting sustainable growth in the sector.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie, described the midstream segment as a critical link in Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain, noting that efficient processing, transportation and storage are vital to energy security, industrial development and economic diversification.

He said the sector continues to face operational and regulatory challenges that require focused legislative attention, stressing the need for clearer policies and a more predictable operating environment.

Hon. Okojie assured stakeholders of the committee’s commitment to effective oversight and policy support, adding that the National Assembly would continue to work towards removing bottlenecks and creating conditions that encourage sustainable private sector investment.

According to him, the workshop was convened to generate practical insights that would inform future legislative interventions and guide long-term reforms in the midstream sector.

On the dispute between the NMDPRA and the Dangote Refinery, the committee chairman described the matter as one with broader implications for the industry, calling for legislative mediation and oversight to ensure regulatory clarity and fairness.

He noted that unresolved regulatory disagreements could affect investor confidence and sector stability, underscoring the need for solutions that align with the national interest.

Technical sessions at the workshop reviewed the current state of the midstream sector, identifying issues such as infrastructure gaps, regulatory coordination and gas utilisation, while also outlining strategic options for improving seamless processing.

Participants also engaged in interactive discussions on strengthening regulatory frameworks, deepening public-private collaboration and unlocking investment opportunities across the midstream value chain.

The workshop ended with a consensus on the importance of sustained engagement among lawmakers, regulators and industry players, with participants expressing optimism that the committee’s efforts would lead to clearer policies, stronger oversight and legislative actions to reposition the midstream sector as a key driver of economic growth.