Dangote Refinery Backs Tinubu’s 15% Fuel Import Tariff, Says Policy Protects Local Industry

|By Babatunji Wusu

Dangote Refinery has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s newly approved 15 per cent import duty on fuel and diesel, describing the policy as a bold move to safeguard Nigeria’s refining industry and reduce overreliance on imports.

The company’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, in a four-page statement issued over the weekend, hailed the tariff as “a good start” and dismissed criticisms against the policy as unpatriotic.

According to Chiejina, the tariff aligns with the federal government’s industrialisation goals by protecting local producers from unfair competition and encouraging domestic refining.

“Our refinery is currently loading over 45 million litres of petrol and 25 million litres of diesel daily, which exceeds Nigeria’s demand,” he said. “Dumping engenders poverty, discourages industrialisation, creates unemployment, and leads to government revenue loss.”

He further praised President Tinubu for what he called “courageous and visionary leadership”, noting that the administration’s reforms were rekindling investor confidence and renewing citizens’ hope in the economy.

Dangote’s endorsement comes amid mixed reactions trailing the new tariff, with some stakeholders arguing it could trigger a hike in pump prices.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) had in October 2025 stated that Dangote Refinery produces an average of 20 million litres of petrol daily—lower than the 45 million litres claimed by the company.