By Ahmad Saka
Industrialists from Northern Nigeria have applauded the Federal Government’s decision to impose a 15 per cent import duty on petroleum products, describing it as a strategic policy to stimulate local production, boost value addition within the oil and gas sector, and create a more competitive environment for Nigerian manufacturers.
Chairman of the Sharada-Challawa Branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Kano, Muhammad Nura Madugu, stated this during the Association’s courtesy visit to the Dangote Group’s regional office in Abuja.
Madugu said local manufacturers would continue to support progressive government policies designed to drive industrial development, promote local content, and position Nigerian industries for global competitiveness.
He noted that MAN adopts a balanced approach when assessing government policies by weighing both their potential benefits and challenges to member industries and the wider economy.
According to him, the Dangote Refinery presents vast opportunities through the various derivatives of crude oil refining, which his members are eager to explore.
“These derivatives include petrol, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Others are naphtha, bitumen, lubricating oils, and fuel oil, as well as vital petrochemical feedstocks such as linear alkylbenzene (LAB), ethylene, propylene, and butadiene, all of which serve as raw materials for producing plastics, detergents, synthetic fibres, and other industrial goods,” he said.
The visit followed the 2025 MAN Product Exhibition in Kano, an annual event sponsored by Dangote Industries Limited.
Madugu commended Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, for his faith and resilience in advancing industrial growth in Nigeria.
During the visit, the MAN delegation presented Awards of Excellence to Aliko Dangote and the Special Adviser on Strategic Relations and Projects to the Group President, Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman.
In her response, Wali-Abdurrahman expressed the company’s appreciation, saying that Mr. Dangote remains passionate about supporting government efforts to grow and diversify Nigeria’s economy.
She said the company is committed to promoting locally made products and creating employment across the country.
“We believe that strong linkages between the refinery and local manufacturers will stimulate the growth of ancillary industries, create new value chains, and enhance our collective capacity to meet both domestic and export demands,” she said.
Mr. Dangote recently announced plans to expand the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd), a move expected to generate about 65,000 jobs for Nigerians.
Accompanying Mr. Madugu on the visit were the Vice Chairman (Bompai), Auwal Muhammad; the Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Garba; and MAN official Sani Shuaibu Sagagi.
Similarly, Chairman of the MAN Kano-Jigawa Branch, Muhammad Bello Isyaku Umar, commended the new import duty policy, describing it as capable of placing the nation’s economy on a stronger and more sustainable footing.
He said: “It will reduce the country’s fuel importation volume and demand for foreign exchange, thereby improving the value of our currency. The new policy will also encourage more investment in local refining and increase government revenue.”
Umar, however, noted that if domestic supply falls short, the policy could temporarily lead to higher fuel prices and increased transportation costs.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had recently approved a 15 per cent import tariff on petrol and diesel, describing it as a strategic step to stimulate local refining and strengthen Nigeria’s energy independence.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, the new policy is “a bridge, not a burden,” aimed at transforming Nigeria’s petroleum landscape and ensuring long-term economic stability.
Dare wrote on his official X handle: “For years, the nation depended heavily on imported fuel despite being a leading crude oil producer. This drained foreign exchange and exported jobs that should have been created at home. The new policy will reverse that trend by encouraging local refining, boosting domestic capacity, and ensuring that Nigeria’s oil wealth translates directly into national prosperity.”
The Dangote Refinery, which commenced operations in 2024, has since emerged as a dominant player in Nigeria’s downstream sector.
With an installed capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the facility is capable of meeting Nigeria’s fuel needs.
According to Anthony Chiejina, Spokesman of the Dangote Group, the refinery is currently loading 45 million litres of PMS and 25 million litres of diesel daily volumes that exceed the country’s total demand.
“This significant production capacity not only guarantees local supply but also enhances energy security and reduces dependence on imports,” Chiejina said.
He added that the company continues to work with regulatory agencies and distributors to ensure efficient nationwide fuel delivery.
“Dangote remains steadfast in its commitment to meeting the energy needs of Nigerians,” he added.
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