President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the introduction of a 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel imports into Nigeria – a policy aimed at protecting local refineries and stabilising the downstream petroleum market.
The directive, contained in a letter dated October 21, 2025, made public on Wednesday, was addressed to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). It was signed by the President’s Private Secretary, Damilotun Aderemi, following a proposal from FIRS Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji.
According to the Government, the new tariff is part of a “market-responsive import tariff framework” intended to strengthen local refining capacity, promote crude transactions in naira, and ensure affordable, stable fuel supply across the country.
Adedeji explained that the duty would help correct price distortions between locally refined and imported products, saying: “While domestic refining of petrol has begun to increase and diesel sufficiency has been achieved, price instability persists, partly due to the misalignment between local refiners and marketers.”
He noted that the 15 percent adjustment would raise imported costs by about ₦99.72 per litre but still keep Lagos pump prices around ₦964.72 per litre ($0.62), which remains below regional averages such as Senegal ($1.76), Côte d’Ivoire ($1.52), and Ghana ($1.37).
However, the policy has sparked criticism within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). A party chieftain from Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, faulted the move, warning that it would worsen economic hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Emami urged the President to suspend the tariff, arguing that any tax on petroleum products ultimately burdens the masses.
“Anybody advising Mr. President to impose a 15 percent tax on petroleum right now is not doing him any good. This kind of policy will not hurt marketers — it will hurt ordinary Nigerians. Whatever tax you put on petroleum goes straight back to the people on the streets. Nigerians are already hungry and struggling”, he stated.
Emami, who noted that rising fuel costs directly affect livelihoods in riverine communities dependent on fishing and transport, appealed for relief measures before implementing such policies.
“For me, that 15 percent should be kept aside until the Government provides more relief to Nigerians”, he added. “Even after removing the fuel subsidy, we haven’t seen much positive reflection. Things are still hard. So why add another burden?”
While the Federal Government maintains that the tariff will stabilise the energy market and protect domestic refineries, public concern is growing that the new levy could further drive up pump prices and deepen economic pressure on citizens.
