The Dangote Group has assured Nigerians that the recent approval of a 15 per cent import tariff on petrol and diesel by the Federal Government will not lead to higher pump prices.
The Group’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, gave the assurance on Sunday during an interview with Arise News, amid growing public concerns that the tariff might trigger a price hike.
Chiejina described such fears as “misplaced,” explaining that the policy was meant to discourage dumping and encourage local refining, not to inflate fuel prices.
“Yeah, I’ve heard what people are saying, but I will tell you that is a misplaced fear — highly misplaced.
This 15 per cent tariff is about preventing dumping; it’s not about high pricing.
I can assure you that our price will remain stable between now and the end of the year,” he said.
He also dismissed criticism from Chief Ayiri Emami, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain from Delta State, who had faulted President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the tariff, warning it could worsen economic hardship.
Chiejina stressed that the import duty aligns with global trade standards, adding that “no nation supports dumping” as it undermines local industry, reduces employment opportunities, and deprives governments of tax revenue.
“Dumping is not good for business — it doesn’t create employment or yield wealth for industrialisation. Government loses income and taxes they’re supposed to earn. Every responsible government protects its local industry,” he said.
The Presidency, in a statement on Friday, also clarified that the 15 per cent import tariff is a strategic measure to stimulate domestic refining, strengthen energy independence, and ensure that Nigeria’s oil wealth benefits its citizens.
The statement noted:
“For years, the nation has depended heavily on imported fuel despite being a leading crude oil producer, draining foreign exchange and exporting jobs that should have been created at home.
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 assurance from Dangote comes as its refinery, Africa’s largest, ramps up operations and prepares to play a key role in meeting Nigeria’s fuel demand locally.
