The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority is weighing its next move to prevent it from losing regulatory authority over midstream and downstream companies located in free trade zones.

Last week, a Federal High Court in Lagos issued an interim injunction restraining the NMDPRA from shutting down or interfering with the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos.

Justice Akintayo Aluko made the order while ruling on a motion ex parte marked FHC/L/CS/1174/26, filed and argued by counsel to Dangote Petroleum Refinery Nigeria Limited, led by Olawale Akoni and Abimbola Akeredolu.

The refinery had approached the court following a letter dated August 24, 2026, in which the NMDPRA allegedly directed the suspension of the loading and truck-out of petroleum products from the refinery.

In his ruling, Justice Aluko said he had carefully considered the application, the affidavit evidence, exhibits and submissions of counsel, including the NMDPRA’s letter. The judge noted that the refinery’s case was that the NMDPRA lacked regulatory or oversight powers over operations within free zones, including the Dangote Industrial Free Zone.

Justice Aluko also referred to a letter dated March 2, 2026, issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation, which, according to the judge, stated that the NMDPRA was not entitled to exercise regulatory powers or oversight functions over operations within free zones.

The judge further held that the refinery had satisfied the conditions required for the grant of an interim injunction. “Accordingly, I find merit in the application, and the same is hereby granted in terms of the reliefs sought,” Aluko ruled.

When contacted, the spokesman of the NMDPRA, George Ene-Ita, declined further comments on the matter, saying, “I can’t comment on a case before the court.”

While not denying the NMDPRA’s letter to shut the Dangote refinery, Ene-Ita refused to give details on why the regulator ordered the refinery to stop loading.

However, other senior officials within the NMDPRA disclosed that the regulator is weighing the next move as far as the case and the ruling are concerned. It was gathered that the agency’s legal team and its management “will decide the next line of action”.

In May, the NMDPRA declared that petroleum companies operating in free zones, export processing zones and other designated areas in Nigeria remain fully subject to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and regulations issued under the law. The regulator stated this in an industry circular.

Free zones are designated areas created by the government to encourage investment and industrial activities through tax incentives, customs waivers and simplified business regulations. They include export processing zones, industrial parks and special economic zones where companies often enjoy exemptions from certain taxes and administrative procedures.

However, the NMDPRA stressed that such incentives do not exempt oil and gas operators from petroleum sector regulations under the PIA. “The operation of any midstream or downstream petroleum facility within a free zone, export processing zone or similar area does not exempt such facility and its operations from compliance with the provisions of the PIA and regulations made thereunder,” it stated.

In the circular addressed to managing directors and chief executives of oil and gas midstream companies, downstream firms, petrochemical and fertiliser companies, as well as import and export terminals, the authority reaffirmed its statutory powers over all midstream and downstream petroleum activities nationwide.

It explained that the regulatory mandate of the agency extends to all midstream and downstream petroleum activities and applies throughout Nigeria, including the continental shelf, territorial waters, exclusive economic zone, free zones, export processing zones, industrial zones and any other designated areas.

The agency said it was the statutory regulator responsible for the technical, commercial, operational and licensing regulation of all midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.

It informed operators that all midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including refining, processing, storage, bulk transportation, pipelines, gas transportation networks, terminals, jetties, wholesale supply, importation, exportation, distribution and the sale of natural gas and petroleum liquids, are subject to its regulatory oversight.

With the current ruling, the NMDPRA is expected to defend its authority over free zones while the court decides whether or not it has such powers.

In its application, the Dangote refinery has asked the court to restrain the regulator, its officers, agents, representatives, privies or any person acting under its authority from enforcing or implementing the directive to shut the facility pending the hearing and determination of its motion on notice.

The company also sought an interim injunction restraining the NMDPRA and its agents from entering, sealing, shutting down, restricting access to, obstructing, suspending, disrupting, inspecting, supervising, sanctioning or otherwise interfering with its refinery, petrochemical, terminal, storage, blending, loading, truck-out and related facilities and operations within the Lekki Free Zone.

After granting the injunction, the court subsequently adjourned the case until September 9, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.

Source: punchng.com

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has intensified surveillance of banks and other financial institutions over terrorism financing risks as part of efforts to prevent the country’s financial system from being exploited by illicit actors.

The apex bank said terrorism financing supervision had been elevated to a current supervisory priority, with greater attention to transaction monitoring, suspicious transaction reporting and compliance with targeted financial sanctions.

The CBN disclosed this in a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Department, Hakama Sidi-Ali.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria has elevated terrorism financing supervision to a current supervisory priority, as part of its ongoing commitment to protecting the Nigerian financial system from abuse by illicit actors,” the bank said.

The move signals increased regulatory scrutiny of financial institutions’ systems for identifying and managing transactions that could be linked to the financing of terrorism.

According to the CBN, its supervisory attention will cover four major areas, including terrorism financing risk management, transaction monitoring, implementation of targeted financial sanctions and the reporting of suspicious transactions linked to terrorism financing.

The development means banks and other regulated financial institutions are expected to maintain systems capable of identifying unusual transactions and complying with existing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing requirements.

The CBN said it would continue to deploy a risk-based approach to supervision, combining physical examinations of financial institutions with off-site monitoring.

“The bank will continue to apply a risk-based supervisory approach, including on-site and off-site engagement, to support effective AML/CFT/CPF controls across the financial sector in line with existing legal and regulatory obligations,” the statement read.

AML/CFT/CPF refers to measures against money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.

Under a risk-based supervisory framework, regulatory attention is typically concentrated on institutions, customers, transactions or activities considered to pose greater financial crime risks rather than applying the same level of scrutiny across the financial system.

The latest directive also puts attention on the implementation of targeted financial sanctions, which form part of measures designed to prevent designated individuals and entities from accessing or moving funds through the formal financial system.

Suspicious transaction reporting is another major component of the CBN’s latest supervisory focus. Financial institutions are required under existing regulatory frameworks to monitor customer activities and report transactions that raise concerns about potential financial crimes.

The CBN added that the heightened focus was part of Nigeria’s broader domestic and international efforts to combat terrorism financing and other threats to the integrity of the financial system.

“This supervisory focus also supports Nigeria’s ongoing domestic and international cooperation on counter-terrorism financing, counter-proliferation financing, financial integrity, and the protection of the financial system,” the bank stated.

The regulator added that further supervisory engagements would be undertaken where necessary.

The PUNCH recently reported that the CBN directed banks and other financial institutions to immediately freeze the accounts and assets of individuals and companies designated for terrorism and terrorism financing, following fresh sanctions issued by Nigerian and United States authorities.

The directive was contained in a circular dated June 24, 2026, issued by the CBN’s Compliance Department and addressed to all banks, Payment Service Banks and other financial institutions regulated under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020.

According to the circular, the action followed earlier sanctions designations by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee and the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control under Executive Order 13224, as amended, on terrorism and terrorism financing.

Source: punchng.com

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE will open Africa’s largest-ever Initial Public Offering on Monday, September 14, 2026, giving Nigerians a chance to own equity in the refinery.

Dangote Group Chief Executive Officer, Aliko Dangote, signed the offer documents at a ceremony held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Monday, September 7, 2026, alongside the advisers and issuing houses managing the sale.

The offer comprises 4.1 billion ordinary shares priced at N525 each, with the company targeting about N2.15tn to part-fund an expansion that would nearly double the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day.

Subscription opens at a minimum of 10 shares, costing N5,250.

Dangote said the low entry threshold was a deliberate choice to let ordinary workers — drivers, cooks and domestic staff among them — become shareholders, describing the offer as “the IPO for the people.”

Lagos-based Vetiva Advisory Services Limited is coordinating the capital raise, which follows approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offer opens September 14 and is expected to close October 13, 2026.

For readers wondering how to actually take part, here is a step-by-step breakdown.

STEP 1: SET UP A BROKERAGE ACCOUNT

Ordinary shares on the Nigerian Exchange are bought through licensed stockbroking firms, not directly from the company.

If you do not already have a trading account, you will need to open one with a broker registered by the SEC and the NGX.

Most brokers now let you register online by submitting your Bank Verification Number, a valid ID and passport photograph as part of standard Know-Your-Customer checks.

Before committing funds, confirm the broker’s registration status on the SEC or NGX website to avoid unauthorised operators.

STEP 2: LINK OR OPEN A CSCS ACCOUNT

Shares are not issued as paper certificates; they are held electronically in the Central Securities Clearing System. When you open a trading account, your broker will typically set up a CSCS account for you at the same time, or link an existing one. Any shares allotted to you in the IPO will be credited to this account once trading begins.

STEP 3: COMPLETE IDENTITY VERIFICATION

Your broker will ask for documentation to verify your identity and activate your account before you can subscribe. Requirements differ slightly from one brokerage to another, so follow whatever checklist your chosen firm provides rather than assuming a uniform process across the industry.

STEP 4: FUND YOUR ACCOUNT AHEAD OF THE OFFER

Once your account is active, deposit the sum you plan to invest. At N525 per share, the minimum commitment of 10 shares costs N5,250. The exact increment for applications above that minimum has not been detailed in public reporting so far, so confirm it against the final prospectus before deciding how many additional shares to apply for. Investors should have their funds ready before the offer opens on September 14 rather than scrambling once subscription begins.

STEP 5: WATCH FOR THE OFFICIAL OPENING

The offer opens September 14 and is billed to run until October 13, 2026. Given the scale of public interest already generated by Dangote’s private placement in July — reportedly oversubscribed by 270 per cent — investors should rely only on the final prospectus and offer documents published by the issuing houses for exact dates, application procedures and any changes, rather than dates circulating informally.

STEP 6: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION THROUGH APPROVED CHANNELS

Applications will run through participating stockbrokers and any other platforms named in the official offer documents, which may include selected fintech and mobile investment apps. Specify how many shares you want, review the application carefully and submit before the deadline. The SEC has previously warned Nigerians against unauthorised parties soliciting money for Dangote Refinery shares outside verified channels, so cross-check any platform against the official list before paying anything.

STEP 7: AWAIT ALLOTMENT

Submitting an application does not guarantee the full number of shares requested. If the offer is oversubscribed — a real possibility given the scale of demand already reported — allotment may be scaled down, and any unallotted portion of your payment should be refunded according to the terms set out in the prospectus. Successful allotments are credited directly to your CSCS account.

STEP 8: TRACK YOUR HOLDINGS AFTER LISTING

Once the shares list on the Nigerian Exchange, you can monitor their value through your broker’s trading platform or app. Prices will move with company performance, investor sentiment and broader market conditions, and shareholders can choose to hold for the long term or sell through their broker whenever they wish, subject to prevailing market prices.

Before applying, investors should read the official prospectus and offer documents once published, and confirm details such as the exact offer price, subscription deadlines and approved application channels directly through the issuing houses, the Nigerian Exchange or the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: punchng.com

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