Dangote asks Tinubu to ban fuel imports to promote ‘Nigeria First Policy’

 

The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has urged President Bola Tinubu to extend the ‘Nigeria First’ policy to refined petroleum products.

Speaking at the Global Commodity Insights Conference on West African Refined Fuel Markets, organised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in conjunction with S&P Global Insights, Dangote said that Nigeria’s commitment to the “Nigeria First” policy must be extended to include petrol, diesel, and other refined products.

The “Nigeria First” initiative, introduced by President Bola Tinubu in May, bars all government agencies from sourcing foreign goods or services that are available locally. Under the policy, procurement of such foreign items would require special justification and clearance from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

“The Nigeria First policy announced by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, should apply to the petroleum product sector and all other sectors,” Dangote declared, pushing for a ban on imported fuel to protect his $20bn refinery investment.

According to Dangote, the influx of cheap and substandard fuel imports—some allegedly subsidised and originating from Russia—is undermining the financial viability of domestic refineries.