On 22 September, a delegation from the Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG), including Executive Secretary John Kadiri and Legal & Regulatory Manager Ogechukwuka Okelue, participated in the first stakeholder consultation convened by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on the proposed Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Prevention of Anti-Competitive Practices and Behaviour Regulations, 2026.
The proposed framework comprises 138 regulations across 33 parts, covering a broad range of areas including pipelines, storage terminals, petrochemicals, wholesale and retail fuel distribution, digital markets and the use of artificial intelligence. The regulations are intended to translate the competition provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 into detailed and enforceable rules.
The framework seeks to address issues including abuse of market dominance, collusion and other anti-competitive practices, while promoting fair and non-discriminatory access to essential petroleum infrastructure, greater market transparency and efficiency, and a more competitive petroleum market.
Speaking at the consultation, ALDG’s Executive Secretary John Kadiri stressed the importance of ensuring that their application reflects the diversity of players and market segments across the midstream and downstream petroleum sector.
He noted that
“Market dominance should correlate with the particular company and the license areaa nd the effect of their operation on competition or otherwise, instead of making an umbrella and generic pronouncement on anti-competitive behaviour”
The comments build on a detailed written submission by ALDG ahead of the stakeholder consultation, outlining the Association’s observations and recommendations on the proposed provisions.
ALDG remains committed to constructive engagement with regulators and industry stakeholders, bringing the operational realities and perspectives of players across Nigeria’s gas distribution sector to the regulatory process.