Energy expert Dan Kunle has warned that the continued importation of petrol and diesel by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited and certain marketers—despite the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s capacity to meet domestic demand—is detrimental to the country.
Recent reports indicate that NNPC and oil marketers spent N5.5 trillion on petrol and diesel imports within four months.
Speaking on Arise TV on Sunday, Kunle likened the massive importation of petroleum products to the infamous “cement Armada”—a 1970s scandal during Nigeria’s oil boom, where hundreds of cement-laden ships congested the ports for years.
Kunle expressed disappointment that despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive and the Federal Executive Council’s decision to allocate local crude oil to domestic refineries, relevant government agencies continue to flout these directives without consequences.
“I expected a transition following the Federal Executive Council’s October 2024 decision to allocate local crude to domestic refineries, with Dangote Refinery as the key player due to its technical capacity. However, nothing has changed—we are still witnessing an influx of imported fuel. It’s a full-scale import Armada, similar to the cement Armada. The level of imports is unprecedented, raising serious concerns about what’s really going on.
“Is this an attempt to flood the market, introduce substandard fuel into Nigeria, and frustrate Dangote Refinery? The mistake here is that Dangote Refinery is already refining 550,000 barrels per day (bpd), producing high-quality products. This importation is completely unnecessary. It’s time for the president to act and end this petrol import racket once and for all,” he stated.
Kunle criticised the logic of continuing fuel imports when other countries, such as the United States, actively protect their domestic industries to strengthen their economies. He argued that Dangote Refinery has the potential to ensure Nigeria’s energy security, something regulatory authorities have neglected for years.
He urged President Tinubu to demand a transition timetable from the relevant authorities, outlining when Nigeria will shift from being a net importer of refined petroleum products to a self-sufficient producer and exporter. Stressing that Dangote Refinery is a strategic national asset, Kunle called on the government to remove any obstacles hindering its smooth operation.
“The Dangote Refinery is a national strategic asset. There’s no need for a court case—the federal government should step in. We don’t need a legal battle; the government should ask the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for a clear transition timetable to move Nigeria from fuel imports to self-sufficiency.
“If the president remains aloof, it will harm the country. No new investments will come if an investment like Dangote’s is treated as an enemy. The real enemies are the importers, not Dangote,” he said.
Kunle stressed that with Dangote Refinery’s capacity and the reported revival of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, Nigeria should be transitioning from dependence on oil imports to becoming a net exporter of refined petroleum products.
