The Presidency has justified the recent implementation of a 15 percent import duty on diesel and petrol, characterizing it as “a bridge, not a burden.”

This decision was sanctioned by President Bola Tinubu, as outlined in a letter dated October 21, 2025. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had requested the application of this duty to the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of imports, aiming to better reflect domestic economic conditions in import pricing.

Policy to Encourage Local Refining

The documentation suggests that this new import duty could potentially increase the petrol pump price by approximately ₦99.72 per litre.

In response to inquiries on Friday, Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, characterized the policy as a “bold and strategic move” designed to reform Nigeria’s energy landscape.

Dare elaborated that the initiative is expected to encourage local refining efforts, boost domestic production capabilities, and ensure that Nigeria’s oil resources provide more direct benefits to its population.

‘A Step Towards Energy Independence’

Dare noted that Nigeria had for years relied on imported fuel despite being a major crude oil producer, a situation that drained foreign exchange and hindered job creation.

He said, “This new policy is designed to reverse that trend by encouraging local refining, boosting domestic capacity, and ensuring that Nigeria’s oil wealth translates directly into national prosperity.”

The presidential aide added that by making imported fuel less competitive, the government was shifting the market advantage towards local refineries such as Dangote and modular plants.

This, he said, would build a self-sustaining energy sector capable of generating jobs, investment, and industrial growth.

He concluded, “This policy is therefore not a burden, but a bridge from dependence to independence, from vulnerability to strength.”