Nigeria suspends planned fuel import tariff
By Akeem Oduyoye
The Federal Government has stepped back from its plan to impose a 15% duty on imported petrol and diesel, a move originally designed to reduce fuel importation and boost local refining.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced the suspension in a statement shared on its X page on Thursday and signed by its Public Affairs Director, George Ene-Ita.
According to the agency, the government decided to pause the tariff after receiving firm assurances that the country currently has enough fuel to meet demand and avoid panic buying.
“There is robust domestic supply of petroleum products (AGO, PMS, LPG, etc) sourced from both local refineries and importation to ensure timely replenishment of stocks at storage depots and retail stations during this period,” the agency said.
NMDPRA also warned against actions that could trigger artificial scarcity or price manipulation. “The Authority wishes to use this opportunity to advise against any hoarding, panic buying, or non-market reflective escalation of prices of petroleum products,” the statement added.
It confirmed that the 15% fuel-import charge is no longer being implemented. “The implementation of the 15% ad-valorem import duty on imported premium motor spirit and diesel is no longer in view,” the agency stated.
Last month, a presidential directive had approved the tariff as part of broader reforms meant to increase non-oil revenue ahead of planned tax changes expected in 2026. But the move immediately drew strong pushback from fuel marketers, who said the duty would limit imports and create dependence on a single major supplier — the Dangote Refinery.
The marketers argued that the country could be exposed to supply risks if importation drops sharply. The Dangote plant, based in Lagos, currently has a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
Nigeria, despite being Africa’s leading oil producer, still spends large sums on importing fuel — a pattern that continued even after the refinery began operations last year. NMDPRA said it will keep watching the market closely.
“The Authority will continue to monitor supply and take necessary steps to avoid disruptions, especially during this peak demand