The Federal Government, yesterday, raised concerns over substandard lubricant oil, as domestic producers asked the government to halt the issuance of fresh import licences for finished lubricants, warning that the influx of cheap products is threatening local industry and risking thousands of jobs.

The call was made at a stakeholders’ workshop organised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Abuja, where the agency reiterated its commitment to enforcing quality and compliance standards across the sector.

Speaking on behalf of Farouk Ahmed, who is NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Mr Francis Ogaree emphasised that the authority is focused on raising standards in the industry and ensuring that only quality products enter the market.

“Poor quality lubricants don’t just damage engines, they damage the economy. This is why we are introducing a new digital platform to streamline approvals and track lubricant imports in real time,” Ogaree said.

The new platform, known as the Lube Oil Blending Plant (LOBP) module, integrates directly with the Nigeria Customs Service through the B-Odogwu system. It is designed to improve transparency, reduce bottlenecks, and ensure that both local and imported products meet quality and safety standards under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The Chairman of the Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN), Mustapha Ado, said the unrestricted importation of finished lubricants often produced from recycled oil has flooded the Nigerian market, undermining local manufacturers and forcing several plants to cut production or lay off staff.

He said: “Most of our members are currently operating at just 30–40 per cent capacity. If supported properly, we can scale up to 70 per cent and even export to West African markets. But as it stands, we are producing at a loss while importers bring in recycled oils that knock engines and destroy consumer trust.”

According to Ado, many of these imported products come from the United Arab Emirates and are derived from recycled waste oils meant for disposal but are instead sold cheaply across African markets.