The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has called on President Bola Tinubu to extend the ‘Nigeria First’ policy to include a ban on imported refined petroleum products, such as petrol and diesel, to protect local refineries.
Context of the ‘Nigeria First’ Policy
Speaking at the Global Commodity Insights Conference on West African Refined Fuel Markets, organized by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and S&P Global Insights, Dangote emphasized the need to prioritize domestic production.
The ‘Nigeria First’ policy, introduced by President Tinubu in May 2025, mandates government agencies to procure locally available goods and services, requiring special justification for foreign sourcing.
Protecting Local Investment
“The Nigeria First policy should apply to the petroleum product sector and all other sectors,” Dangote stated, advocating for a ban on imported fuel to safeguard his $20 billion refinery investment.
He highlighted that cheap, substandard fuel imports, some allegedly subsidized and originating from Russia, are undermining local refineries’ financial viability.
“Due to price caps on Russian petroleum products, discounted fuel produced in Russia or with Russian crude severely undercuts our local production,” he said, noting that fuel prices in Nigeria are as low as 60 cents, cheaper than in Saudi Arabia.
Addressing Unfair Competition
Dangote urged African governments to emulate the United States, Canada, and the European Union by protecting domestic producers from unfair competition. Addressing monopoly concerns, he clarified,
“The reality is that too many people who have the means to contribute to Nigeria’s growth choose to criticize from the sidelines while investing abroad.”
Nigeria’s Emergence as a Fuel Exporter
He revealed that the Dangote Refinery has made Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products, exporting approximately 1.35 billion liters of petrol globally between June and July 2025.
“Within the last 50 days, we have exported about 1 million tonnes of PMS,” he noted.
Marketers Oppose Ban on Fuel Imports
Independent petroleum marketers have opposed Dangote’s call for a fuel import ban.
Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, argued that a ban would lead to inflation and monopoly, given that Dangote’s refinery is currently the only operational one in Nigeria.
“We should continue to import even as we buy locally,” Ukadike said, citing NMDPRA’s statement that Dangote cannot meet all of Nigeria’s fuel needs.
Emphasis on a Free Economy
Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, also opposed the ban, emphasizing the importance of a free economy.
“Importation stabilizes the sources of petroleum products.
No one company should dominate the downstream sector,” he said, advocating for bans on locally producible goods like toothpicks but not on fuel.
Push for Reforms and Nationwide Delivery
Despite opposition, Dangote insisted on reforms, including revoking unused refinery licenses, a stance supported by Ukadike.
The Dangote Refinery is preparing to launch a nationwide fuel delivery system on August 1, 2025, using 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks to supply petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel to filling stations and bulk consumers, such as telecom companies.
Dangote’s Strategic Shift
Dangote recently stepped down as Chairman of Dangote Cement to focus on his refinery, fertilizer, and petrochemical ventures.
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