Business

Fuel war brews as Dangote presses Tinubu to ban imports

Published

1 year ago

July 28, 2025

•IPMAN, PETROAN push back, warn against monopoly, Dangote insists on ‘Nigeria First’ policy

The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has asked President Bola Tinubu to include refined petroleum products in the list of items banned under the ‘Nigeria First’ policy of the Federal Government. But this was unanimously rejected by oil marketers and some industry analysts on Sunday.

The ’Nigeria First’ policy seeks to ban government agencies from importing goods that can be produced within Nigeria. In May, Tinubu barred government agencies from importing goods or services that are available locally.

The policy stated that no procurement of foreign goods or services already available in Nigeria shall proceed without justification and a Bureau of Public Procurement waiver.

Speaking at the just concluded Global Commodity Insights Conference on West African Refined Fuel Markets hosted by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in partnership with S&P Global Insights, Dangote requested in clear terms that petrol, diesel, and other refined petroleum products be added to the items banned by the policy.

According to him, the importation of fuel into Nigeria is killing local refining and discouraging further investments in the sector and even the economy. To remain viable, he urged governments across Africa to take deliberate steps as the United States, Canada, and the European Union have done to protect domestic producers from what he called unfair competition.

Dangote did not mince words when he said that the Nigeria First policy announced by Tinubu should apply to the petroleum products sector. “The Nigeria First policy announced by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, should apply to the petroleum product sector and all other sectors,” he stated.

This request by Dangote seeks to place a ban on the importation of petrol, diesel, and other products being produced locally. He argued that local refiners were finding it difficult to sell their products because of what he called dumping. The billionaire businessman alleged that importers were dumping toxic fuel that would never be allowed in Europe.

“And to make matters worse, we are now facing increased dumping of cheap, often toxic petroleum products, some of which are blended to substandard levels that would never be allowed in Europe or North America,” he said.

Dangote mentioned that some of the importers bring into Nigeria fuel or crude oil subsidised in Russia. This, he said, affects local pricing, forcing refiners to drop prices below their costs.

“Due to the price caps on the Russian petroleum products, discounted petroleum products produced in Russia or with discounted Russian crude find their way to Africa, severely undercutting our local production, which is based on full crude pricing. This has created an unlevel playing field in most African countries. Petrol and diesel are sold for about a dollar net of taxes.

“In Nigeria, due to this unfair competition, this price is just about 60 cents, even cheaper than Saudi Arabia, which produces and refines its own oil. This is due to the fact that we are having too much dumping. To remain viable, we urge the governments across Africa to take deliberate steps as the United States, Canada, and the European Union have done to protect domestic producers from unfair competition,” he stated.

The richest man in Africa said this was not to monopolise the sector but to produce local investments. He noted that those who have the resources to invest in Nigeria keep taking their resources outside the country while they criticise local investors.

“Let me take this opportunity to address concerns around monopoly and dominance. The reality is that too many people who have the means and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our nation’s growth choose instead to criticise from the sidelines while investing their wealth abroad,” Dangote said.

To prove that his $20bn refinery can satisfy local fuel needs, Dangote disclosed that Nigeria has become a net exporter of petroleum products, having exported approximately 1.35 billion litres of petrol to other countries worldwide in 50 days.

According to Dangote, between June and July 2025, the refinery exported up to 1 million tonnes of petrol, which is approximately 1.35 billion litres when converted.

“Today, Nigeria has actually become a net exporter of refined products. Before I came on the podium, I asked my people how many tonnes of PMS we have actually exported. From June beginning to date, we have exported about 1 million tonnes of PMS, within the last 50 days,” he said.

Marketers tackle Dangote

However, marketers disagreed with Dangote, urging the Federal Government not to consider adding petroleum products to the list of items banned from importation.

Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said independent marketers would not support that idea as it would spell doom for the sector.

“We independent marketers will depart from that request. If the government does that, that means we will not be able to check inflation and monopoly, since it is the only refinery operating in the country now. We should continue to import even as we buy locally.

“I heard that the NMDPRA stated clearly that Dangote cannot produce all the fuel that the country needs. We will appreciate it if the country allows importation to continue since we are not paying subsidy,” Ukadike said.

Reacting to Dangote’s claim that importation would kill businesses and local refineries, Ukadike differed. “Importation won’t kill local businesses or refineries; it will strengthen them. It will ensure local refineries step up their game. I don’t agree with Dangote on this,” he said.

Also, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, kicked against the call to ban fuel Importation. He said no one company should be allowed to dominate the downstream sector in a free economy.

While admitting that there is a need to ban the importation of some goods, he said these should not include fuel, stressing that Nigeria needs multiple sources of energy. “I don’t agree with Dangote. We are running a free economy. There’s no reason why any one company should have an overarching value on the entire industry.

“Importation is not killing the economy. Importation is stabilising the sources of petroleum products. Importation of all products is useful. However, those that can be produced in Nigeria, like toothpicks, garri, egusi soup, cassava, and others like that, should be banned.

“But importation of refined petroleum products should not be banned because it helps to ensure that there are multiple sources of energy and replenishment,” Gillis-Harry stated.

Expert reacts

An energy expert at the University of Lagos, Professor Dayo Ayoade, also warned against banning fuel Importation, saying this would promote monopolistic tendencies.

“No, we cannot have a ban on petroleum imports. It’s not a legal ban. That would not be acceptable because we don’t have diverse sources for petroleum products. We can’t rely solely on the Dangote refineries. That would give a monopoly to a private individual.

“And for the reasons of energy security and national security, that would be completely unacceptable. The government should continue to encourage, liberalise, and ensure other refineries come upstream. NNPC may want to privatise or sell off its refineries, then that’s fine. But we need to have a better base of product market before we now start to say we want to ban imports,” he said.

He queried what the local and international laws say about banning products.

“And you know, when we talk about bans, we have to look at international trade. International trade law does not really sit well with banning things. So, we have to be clever about how we do it. But if the market is ripe, it will be more expensive to bring in things from other countries than our own products, provided they are of sufficient quantity and the quality is fine,” the don submitted.

More refineries

During the NMDPRA conference, Dangote called on the regulator to encourage building more refineries. He charged the agency to withdraw dormant refinery licences from those holding on to them.

The IPMAN spokesman supported Dangote on this, saying, “On that side, I agree with him. You can’t obtain a licence to build a refinery and use it to decorate your house. The nation needs more refineries to do more exports.”

Dangote has repeatedly stated that his refinery has more than enough fuel to satisfy local fuel needs, wondering why some marketers insist on “sabotaging” his investment with importation. He disclosed recently that the refinery would produce hit 700,000 barrels per day capacity in December, an update from the current 650,000 BPD capacity.

On Friday, Dangote announced his retirement as a Director and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dangote Cement. According to a statement Friday by the Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, Dangote is relinquishing his position as chairman and retiring from the board to focus more attention on the $20bn refinery, petrochemicals, fertiliser, and government relations.

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NAFDAC destroys N8bn products, targets sachet alcohol in N’Central

Published

7 hours ago

October 30, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated and destroyed unwholesome, banned, fake and adulterated products worth more than N8 billion in the North-Central states.

Speaking during the destruction ceremony on Thursday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the products were seized from manufacturing outfits, sales outlets, markets and motor parks across the zone.

The DG, who was represented by a Deputy Director of NAFDAC in the zone, Joseph Edor, said most of the confiscated products were banned alcoholic beverages in small volumes of less than 200 ml (20 cl).

According to her, NAFDAC was established by Decree No. 19 of 1993, as amended, with the mandate to protect and promote public health by ensuring that only quality, efficacious and regulated products are manufactured, imported, distributed and sold in Nigeria.

She explained that the agency banned alcoholic beverages in sachets and glass bottles of less than 200ml due to their availability, affordability and portability, which have made them easily abused by youths and underage schoolchildren.

“Research has shown that early exposure to alcohol affects the brain and other vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.

“It stymies the brain, resulting in mental retardation, brain damage, poor performance of pupils in school, low productivity and several types of illnesses,” she said.

The DG said the ban and subsequent raids were based on these abuses, addiction and adverse health effects, while other seized items included expired, fake and unwholesome food, drugs and cosmetics.

“It is in the course of carrying out these activities that this heap of unwholesome, banned, fake and adulterated products worth about eight billion naira was confiscated from manufacturing outfits, sales outlets, markets and motor parks.

“The bulk of the products in that pile are predominantly banned alcoholic beverages in low volumes of less than 200ml (20cl),” she emphasised.

The Director-General further commended other law enforcement agencies, sister agencies and stakeholders for their continuous collaboration, especially in intelligence sharing and security cover during operations.

Also speaking at the event, the Nasarawa State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Dr Gyani Stephen, explained that the exercise was not targeted at hurting people but was intended to save lives.

He advised those in the habit of selling fake and banned products to desist or be ready to face the full wrath of the law, warning that the agency would come after them if they did not change their ways.

In his goodwill message, the Nasarawa State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Daniel Saidu, represented by Yakubu Awoh, commended NAFDAC for saving lives through the regular seizure and destruction of expired and fake drugs.

He explained that if these dangerous products were allowed into the markets, they could have destroyed millions of lives and affected the mental health of many others.

Source: punchng.com

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Business

Seven modular refineries to begin operations in 2027, read details

Published

7 hours ago

October 30, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Nigeria’s modular refining sector is expected to expand next year, with seven new refineries projected to commence operations with a combined capacity of 83,000 barrels per day, according to Argus Media’s George Maher-Bonnett.

Maher-Bonnett disclosed this in Lagos on Wednesday during a presentation at the OTL Africa Downstream conference, where he highlighted the changing dynamics of Nigeria’s petroleum products market amid rising local refining capacity and declining fuel demand.

In his presentation, titled ‘African Energy Outlook’, Maher-Bonnett said four modular refineries operated in Nigeria in September, with a combined capacity of 32,000 barrels per day.

“Four modular refineries operating in September, total 32,000 b/d capacity,” he said.

He added, “Seven new modular refineries to start next year“ with a total of 83,000 barrels per capacity.

The projected additions would represent more than two and a half times the combined capacity of the four modular refineries operating in September, potentially increasing the contribution of smaller refining facilities to Nigeria’s domestic petroleum products supply.

However, the presentation did not identify the seven proposed refineries, their owners or locations, or provide individual capacity figures and commissioning schedules.

Maher-Bonnett also highlighted the growing role of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in improving Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in petroleum products, despite a decline in fuel demand during the year.

“Nigerian fuels demand is down this year,” the presentation stated, attributing the development to “higher flat prices.”

He added self-sufficiency is improving with Dangote ramp-up, projecting that modular refineries would play a growing role.

The presentation linked the decline in demand to higher prices and noted that the only government intervention during the period covered was an NNPC price reduction.

“No government interventions, besides NNPC price cut this month,” it stated.

The expected expansion of modular refining capacity comes as Nigeria’s petroleum products market adjusts to increased domestic production and changing international trade flows.

Maher-Bonnett said the Dangote refinery is operating at a high rate, with steady petrol output, reducing the attractiveness of importing some petroleum products from Europe into West Africa.

“Dangote’s 700,000 bpd Lekki refinery is running hard, gasoline output is steady,” the presentation stated.

It also highlighted Ghana’s growing refining capacity, noting that the 45,000-barrel-per-day Tema refinery is ramping up production and improving the country’s self-sufficiency.

According to the presentation, the economics of shipping petroleum products from Europe to West Africa and from Europe to the United States has weakened, with freight costs further affecting the competitiveness of the routes.

Source: punchng.com

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Business

Falana tasks Senate on recovery of $123bn, N66bn oil funds, read details

Published

7 hours ago

October 30, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has asked the National Assembly to compel the recovery of $123.17bn in alleged outstanding oil royalties, taxes and dividends, alongside N66.4bn, from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and other oil and gas companies.

In a letter dated 28 October, 2026, and titled ‘Request to Recover Dividends, Taxes and Royalties Worth $123.17bn and N66.4bn from NNPC and Other Companies and Remit Same to the Federation Account’, Falana urged the National Assembly to ensure that the alleged outstanding revenues were recovered and remitted to the federation account.

He warned that he would institute legal proceedings at the Federal High Court if the authorities failed to initiate measures to recover the funds within 14 days of receiving the letter.

In an acknowledged copy of the letter made available to The PUNCH on Thursday, the senior advocate said the outstanding revenues covered several categories, including $62bn in unpaid oil royalties, $23.1bn in alleged unremitted dividends from Nigeria LNG Limited, $6.071bn in outstanding industry revenues, and claims relating to stolen crude oil and refinery rehabilitation contracts.

The letter also cited a Supreme Court consent judgment delivered on 20 October, 2018, which it said directed the Federal Government to collect outstanding royalties accrued over 18 years under the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act.

According to Falana, the governments of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states had approached the Supreme Court to compel the Federal Government to enforce the law, which provided for an upward review of royalties when international crude oil prices exceeded $20 per barrel.

He said a committee constituted by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently determined that $62bn in royalties had not been collected from international oil companies.

Falana added that Akwa Ibom and Rivers states later obtained a Federal High Court judgment for a combined $3.3bn, while Bayelsa State secured a separate judgment for $951m over their alleged entitlements from the outstanding royalties.

He said the Federal Government had yet to comply with the judgments.

The lawyer also called for the recovery of $29bn linked to alleged crude oil theft and undeclared exports, citing investigations by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the House of Representatives.

He said lawyers engaged by NIMASA discovered that about 60.2 million barrels of crude oil, valued at $12.7bn, allegedly stolen from Nigeria, were discharged at the Port of Philadelphia in the United States between 2011 and 2014.

According to the letter, the lawyers submitted their findings to the Office of the Attorney-General after which they filed nine civil cases at the Federal High Court in Abuja and Lagos to recover the value of the alleged stolen crude oil and liquefied gas.

Falana further cited a 2016 House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigation, which he said found that $17bn worth of crude oil and liquefied natural gas had been exported from Nigeria without proper records.

He said the committee found that the crude oil was discharged at the ports of Houston and Lake Charles in the United States.

He urged the National Assembly to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to pursue the recovery of the funds from the companies allegedly involved.

On the NLNG dividends, Falana alleged that NNPC had failed to remit $23.1bn due to the Federal Government from its 49 per cent shareholding in NLNG.

He explained that NLNG, established in 1989, had paid more than $47bn in dividends to its shareholders over 26 years, with the Federal Government’s share paid through NNPC.

The other shareholders listed in the letter are Shell, with 25.6 per cent; TotalEnergies, 15 per cent; and Eni International, 10.4 per cent.

Falana argued that the dividends received by NNPC on behalf of the Federal Government should have been transferred to the Federation Account in accordance with Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

He added that resolutions of the Senate and the House of Representatives calling for the remittance of the funds had allegedly been ignored.

The senior advocate also called for the recovery of $6.071bn and N66.4bn in outstanding revenues owed by oil and gas companies, citing the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s 2022/2023 Independent Oil and Gas Industry Report.

According to him, NEITI disclosed on 27 September, 2024, that the outstanding collectible revenues due to the Federal Government as of June 2024 stood at the stated amounts.

He said copies of the report were forwarded to both chambers of the National Assembly in November 2024 in line with the provisions of the NEITI Act.

Falana urged lawmakers to support NEITI in recovering the outstanding revenues without further delay.

The letter also questioned the outcome of the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries, for which the Federal Executive Council approved contracts totalling about $2.98bn in 2021.

It said the government approved $1.5bn for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refineries in April 2021 and another $1.48bn for the Warri and Kaduna refineries in August of the same year.

Falana argued that NNPC announced in December 2024 that the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries had been substantially completed, while work on the Kaduna refinery was almost finished.

However, he cited NNPC’s subsequent announcement that the Warri refinery ceased operations on 25 January, 2025, following safety issues involving its crude distillation unit main heater. He also referred to the shutdown of the Port Harcourt refineries for planned maintenance in May 2025.

He argued that the contractors had breached the terms of the rehabilitation agreements and called for the recovery of the contract sums.

“In view of the foregoing, we are compelled to request the Office of the Attorney-General to recover the total sum of $123.17bn and N66.4bn owed the Government of the Federation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, and some oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria,” the letter stated.

Falana said recovering the funds would reduce the Federal Government’s dependence on external borrowing and provide additional revenue for the federation and the states.

He warned that failure to begin recovery measures within 14 days would prompt legal action.

“If you fail to initiate legal measures for the recovery of the aforesaid huge funds belonging to the Government of the Federation within 14 days of the receipt of this letter, we shall not hesitate to file the necessary processes in the Federal High Court with a view to compelling you to discharge the duty of your office,” he wrote.

Falana also defended his firm’s standing to pursue the matter, citing its involvement in drafting and submitting a bill to amend the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act in 2017.

He noted that the bill was adopted and sponsored by a senator, subsequently passing first reading in the Senate before the dissolution of the Eighth National Assembly. According to him, the Ninth National Assembly subsequently adopted and passed the amendment.

He recalled that the then President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, had said the amendment would increase the country’s revenue by at least $1.5bn annually.

Source: punchng.com

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