The Presidency has clarified that the new 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel is a strategic measure, not a burden on Nigerians, intended to foster the country’s energy independence.
In a detailed post on X, Presidential Special Adviser Sunday Dare called the tariff a “bold and strategic move” aimed at ending Nigeria’s long-term reliance on imported fuel.
Dare explained that, despite being a major crude oil producer, Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported products has historically drained foreign exchange and exported potential local jobs.
The new policy is designed to reverse this by incentivizing local refining and boosting domestic production.
Dare noted this move shifts the market in favor of local operators, including the Dangote Refinery and modular plants, thereby creating a foundation for a self-sustaining energy sector.
As local supply increases, he projected that Nigerians will see gradual price moderation, coupled with a rise in industrial activity and employment opportunities.
Dare, a former Minister of Youth and Sports Development under the late President Muhammadu Buhari administration, stressed that the new policy reflects President Tinubu’s long-term economic vision to strengthen the naira, secure Nigeria’s energy future, and ensure that the oil sector contributes directly to national growth.
“The move is a bridge not a burden, leading the country from dependence to independence, from vulnerability to strength.”
He expressed confidence that the measure would accelerate Nigeria’s transition into an energy-secure nation capable of meeting both domestic and regional fuel demands.
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