The Federal Government's decision to suspend the 15% tariff on imported fuel has drawn strong criticism from several prominent organizations, including the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), who describe the move as detrimental to Nigeria's economic progress and industrial development.
MURIC Condemns Policy Reversal
Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, issued a statement on Friday labeling the suspension as "ill-advised, badly timed and in bad taste." The organization argues that this decision comes at a critical moment when Nigeria should be building upon gains from its emerging refining capacity.
According to Akintola, the policy inconsistency sends negative signals to local investors who have committed substantial resources to reviving Nigeria's refining industry. "In our humble opinion, this suspension is inimical to Nigeria's economic growth and self-reliance," he emphasized.
The timing is particularly concerning given that Nigeria's indigenous refinery currently produces approximately 1.4 million barrels per day, a volume capable of meeting national demand ranging between 48 million and 52 million litres daily.
Economic Implications and Investor Confidence
MURIC maintains that protecting and growing local industries should be Nigeria's priority to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products. Encouraging local production would significantly contribute to economic stability, job creation, and technological advancement.
The organization specifically highlighted the Dangote Refinery as one of the largest private investments in the country that requires supportive policies to thrive. "The country stands to gain immensely from blocking further importation of goods that we already have in abundance," the statement added.
Akintola urged the government to adopt a long-term perspective on the energy sector, implementing policies that encourage local refining rather than cheaper foreign imports. He cited examples of countries like China and Singapore that deliberately protected their industries for decades until they became internationally competitive.
Allegations Against Oil Cabals
Meanwhile, the Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW) and Nigeria Coalition Group (NCG) have accused entrenched oil importation cabals of orchestrating the tariff suspension to protect their multibillion-naira empire.
During a solidarity rally in Lagos, the groups demanded immediate reinstatement of the 15% import duty, a total ban on PMS and AGO importation, allocation of 100% crude oil supply to Dangote Refinery, and protection for indigenous refiners against what they termed "economic warfare."
Aare Oladotun Hassan, President and Convener of the groups, alleged that the suspension resulted from "panic within the oil cabal network struggling to frustrate local refining" rather than any public panic buying. "There are no queues, no jerrycans, no scarcity. The panic is coming from the cabals, not Nigerians," he stated.
The groups characterized the suspension as "a calculated diversion and deceitful decoy" crafted by importers desperate to maintain Nigeria's dependence on foreign fuel despite the operational 650,000 BPD Dangote Refinery - Africa's largest refining facility.
They argued that implementing the 15% import duty would make fuel importation less profitable and finally shift the market toward locally refined products. The groups also presented a formal letter to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa for transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Describing Aliko Dangote as "a patriotic Nigerian who invested in a project capable of ending fuel scarcity once and for all," the organizations stressed that the refinery could stabilize Nigeria's fuel supply, especially with adequate crude oil allocation. "Even with 50% crude supply, Dangote can meet 100% of Nigeria's fuel demand at lower prices," they concluded.
