Energy Expert To Tinubu: End Petrol Imports, Strengthen Local Refining

Nigeria Must End Petrol Imports and Prioritise Local Refining, Says Energy Expert

An energy expert, Dan Kunle, has raised concerns over Nigeria’s continued reliance on petrol and diesel imports despite the operational capacity of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. He described the ongoing importation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and certain marketers as detrimental to national interests.

Recent reports indicate that NNPCL and oil marketers spent ₦5.5 trillion on fuel importation within just four months.

Massive Importation Compared to the 1970s Cement Armada

Speaking during an Arise TV program on Sunday, Kunle likened Nigeria’s persistent fuel importation to the infamous ‘Cement Armada’ scandal of the 1970s, where excessive cement shipments caused severe congestion at Nigerian ports.

He expressed frustration that, despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive and the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) decision to allocate local crude to domestic refineries, regulatory agencies have ignored these policies without consequences.

Dangote Refinery: A Strategic Asset Underutilized

Kunle emphasized that the government’s failure to enforce local refining policies undermines energy security and economic stability. He argued that the Dangote Refinery, currently refining 550,000 barrels per day (bpd), has the capacity to meet domestic demand, making fuel imports unnecessary.

“This is a full-scale importation armada. The excessive influx of foreign fuel raises serious concerns—are certain players attempting to flood the market with substandard fuel and undermine Dangote Refinery’s operations?” Kunle questioned.

He stressed that while countries like the United States protect domestic industries to boost economic growth, Nigeria continues to prioritize fuel imports over self-sufficiency.

Call for a Transition to Self-Sufficiency

Kunle urged President Tinubu to demand a clear transition timetable from regulators, outlining Nigeria’s shift from being a petrol importer to a net exporter of refined petroleum products.

“The Dangote Refinery is a strategic national asset. The government should not allow unnecessary legal battles to disrupt its operations. Instead, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) must provide a concrete plan to phase out fuel imports.”

He warned that neglecting this issue would deter future investments in Nigeria’s energy sector, as investors would hesitate to commit to a country that disregards major industrial projects like Dangote Refinery.

The Future of Nigeria’s Refining Industry

With Dangote Refinery in full operation and the reported revival of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, Kunle stressed that Nigeria should be transitioning away from fuel dependency towards refining and exporting high-quality petroleum products