Fuel import ban: Dangote pushes for ‘Nigeria first’ policy, Marketers warn against monopoly

A significant debate has erupted in Nigeria’s petroleum sector as Alhaji Aliko Dangote , President of the Dangote Group, has formally requested President Bola Tinubu to include refined petroleum products in the list of items banned under the Federal Government’s ‘Nigeria First’ policy.

This policy, implemented in May, prohibits government agencies from importing goods or services that can be produced locally without specific justification and a waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

Speaking at the recently concluded Global Commodity Insights Conference on West African Refined Fuel Markets, hosted by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in partnership with S&P Global Insights, Dangote asserted that the continued importation of fuel into Nigeria is “killing local refining and discouraging further investments in the sector and even the economy.”

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

He argued that local refiners face immense difficulty selling their products due to what he termed “dumping” by importers.

The billionaire businessman alleged that these importers are bringing in “toxic fuel that would never be allowed in Europe or North America,” some of which are subsidized Russian products, severely undercutting local production prices.

“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,” Dangote explained.

He noted that while petrol and diesel are sold for about a dollar net of taxes globally, in Nigeria, due to this “unfair competition,” the price is around 60 cents, even cheaper than in Saudi Arabia, which produces and refines its own oil.

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To remain viable, Dangote urged African governments to follow the lead of countries like the United States, Canada, and the European Union in protecting domestic producers from unfair competition.

He clarified that his stance is not aimed at monopolizing the sector but at fostering local investments, criticizing those who invest their wealth abroad while critiquing local efforts.

To demonstrate the Dangote Refinery’s capacity, Dangote disclosed that Nigeria has become a net exporter of petroleum products.

He stated that between June and July 2025, the refinery exported approximately 1 million tonnes of petrol (equivalent to about 1.35 billion litres) to other countries worldwide within a 50-day period.

However, Dangote’s request has been met with strong opposition from oil marketers and industry analysts.

Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), unequivocally stated on Sunday that independent marketers would not support such an idea, warning it would “spell doom for the sector.”

This pushback highlights a brewing “fuel war” as stakeholders grapple with the implications of domestic refining capacity versus the need for market competition and stable supply.