The Dangote Refinery has declared its full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recently approved 15 per cent import tariff on fuel and diesel, describing the policy as a bold and patriotic step toward protecting Nigeria’s local refining industry.
In a four-page statement released over the weekend, the Group’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, said the tariff would help safeguard domestic production from unfair competition, curb import dependence, and stimulate job creation.
Chiejina argued that opposing the new tariff would be “unpatriotic,” insisting that the move aligns with Nigeria’s broader industrialisation goals and economic self-reliance.
“The tariff is designed to protect local refiners from dumping and unfair competition. Dumping engenders poverty, discourages industrialisation, creates unemployment, and leads to revenue loss for the government,” he stated.
He noted that the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, located in the Lekki Free Zone, is currently loading over 45 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 25 million litres of diesel daily — a volume he said surpasses the country’s daily fuel demand.
Chiejina also praised President Tinubu for what he described as “courageous and visionary leadership,” saying the new tariff will restore investor confidence and strengthen the nation’s economic resilience.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continues to embody courageous and visionary leadership, renewing the hope of Nigerians and restoring investor confidence in the nation’s economy,” the statement read.
However, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) had earlier in October 2025 stated that the refinery produces an average of 20 million litres of petrol daily, a figure lower than the company’s latest claim.
The 15 per cent tariff policy has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians and industry stakeholders, with critics warning that it may raise pump prices, while supporters argue it will secure the nation’s refining future and encourage local investment.
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