By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage– The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has unveiled a 138-regulation competition framework designed to curb monopoly, abuse of market dominance, collusion and discriminatory access to critical petroleum infrastructure across Nigeria’s midstream and downstream sectors.
The proposed regulations, spread across 23 parts, represent the first sector-specific competition framework for the midstream and downstream petroleum industry, with provisions covering pipelines, terminals, storage facilities, wholesale and retail markets, petrochemicals, digital markets, mergers and access to essential infrastructure.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ consultation in Abuja, NMDPRA Chief Executive, Rabiu Umar, said the framework would establish enforceable rules to promote fair market access, strengthen transparency and create a level playing field capable of improving investor confidence in the petroleum industry.
He said the Authority had received submissions from stakeholders on the draft regulations and organised the consultation to identify areas requiring clarification or refinement before the rules are finalised.
According to Umar, the proposed framework is intended to address practices capable of distorting competition, including abuse of market dominance, collusion and discriminatory access to infrastructure, while ensuring alignment with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Earlier, NMDPRA Legal Secretary, Dr. Joseph Tolorunse, said the regulations would move the Authority beyond technical and licensing oversight to active regulation of how market power is exercised within the petroleum industry.
He said the framework provides for price and tariff transparency, oversight of vertically integrated operators, investigation and enforcement powers, and coordinated reviews with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for major transactions.
Tolorunse added that the proposed rules would guarantee open and non-discriminatory access to essential petroleum infrastructure while providing mechanisms to prevent market manipulation and other anti-competitive practices.
Umar also disclosed that NMDPRA had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the FCCPC to strengthen regulatory collaboration on competition and consumer protection in the petroleum sector.
He said the two agencies, with complementary mandates, would work together to strengthen fair market practices and regulatory oversight across the industry.
The Authority said stakeholders’ contributions from the consultation would be reviewed before the regulations are finalised.
