By Felix Khanoba
President Bola Tinubu has been called upon to impose an outright ban on importation of petrol into the country to safeguard the nation’s oil sector independence.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) made the call at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
The groups , which also issued warning to saboteurs of Nigeria’s energy independence, said Dangote Refinery can meet all the petroleum needs of the country, urging Nigerians to guard it jealousy as it is more of a national asset.
“We have called this emergency press conference today, not to celebrate alone, but to sound a loud and unmistakable alarm, and to issue a final warning to a small but powerful group of economic saboteurs who are hell-bent on dragging Nigeria back into the dark ages of fuel importation, artificial scarcity, and perpetual poverty.
“As of today, 18th November, 2025, the Dangote Refinery is loading and dispatching more than 104 million litres of refined petroleum products daily, over 57 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Jet fuel 20 million litres and 27 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) totaling 104 million litres of petroleum products. This volume exceeds Nigeria’s total national daily consumption of approximately 70–75 million litres.
“In plain language: We have more than enough locally refined fuel for every car, truck, generator, and factory in Nigeria. Fuel importation is no longer a necessity, it is now a choice. And that choice is being made only by those who profit from our collective suffering,” the text of press conference jointly signed by BAVCCA National President – Ikechukwu Chukwunyere and COCSON National President – Husseini Abubakar, read.
The groups also debunked recent claims credited to Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN, suggesting that the refinery’s output meets only about 40% of national needs.
” This is simply not true. As of November 2025, the Dangote Refinery’s production is at 100% or more of Nigeria’s requirements, rendering such assertions outdated and inaccurate. We urge all parties, including labor unions, to align with facts and support this achievement rather than undermine it for narrow agendas,” they said.
While faulting the recent suspension of 15% import duty on petrol, the CSOs described the move as a attack on local refineries.
“Just when Nigerians should be enjoying the fruits of self-sufficiency, we woke up to the shocking news that the federal government has suspended the recently imposed 15% import duty on petroleum products until the first quarter of 2026.
“This is not policy, this is sabotage disguised as relief.
“This suspension effectively makes imported fuel cheaper than locally refined fuel, thereby creating an artificial price advantage for importers and rendering modular and large-scale local refineries uncompetitive.
“Ask yourselves:
“Why are importers still bringing in hundreds of thousands of metric tonnes of PMS and diesel when Dangote alone is producing surplus?
“Who benefits when the government quietly removes a policy that was designed to protect local refining capacity?
“Why are we subsidizing foreign refineries in Europe and America with Nigerian crude and Nigerian forex when our own refinery is begging to supply the entire nation at a lower cost?
“The answer is clear: a powerful cartel of fuel importers, oil trading cabals, and their collaborators inside and outside government are terrified that their decades-long multi-trillion-naira racket is collapsing before their very eyes.
“Who Are These Saboteurs and Why Are They Angry?
“They are the same cabals who, for over 40 years, turned fuel importation into the biggest fraud in Nigeria’s history.
“They are the importers who smile to the bank while Nigerians sleep in petrol stations.
“They are the marketers who create artificial scarcity to inflate prices.
“They are the highly placed officials who receive kickbacks for every litre imported.
“Their only crime against these people? Aliko Dangote built a world-class refinery that has ended their monopoly and is now alleviating the suffering of over 200 million Nigerians.
“They are bitter. They are desperate. And they are dangerous.
“That is why they sponsor false stories, twisted statistics, and outright lies claiming Dangote produces only “40%” when the facts show 100%+. That is why they pressure for policies that kill local refining. That is why they want importation to continue at all costs,” the CSOs said.
BAVCCA and COCSON therefore issued seven-day ultimatum to individuals or gruops that are engaged in the campaign of calumny, blackmail, and economic sabotage against the Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s energy independence:
“Cease immediately every form of negative propaganda, false data dissemination, and sponsorship of anti-Dangote Refinery narratives across traditional and social media.
“Stop lobbying for the continuation of fuel importation and the suspension or reversal of protective policies for local refineries.
“If, by 12:01 am on Tuesday, 25th November 2025, you have not desisted, we will have no choice but to begin a phased naming and shaming campaign at our National Summit scheduled for Saturday 22nd November, 2025. We will release names, photographs, companies, bank records where necessary, and documented evidence of individuals and entities involved no matter how highly placed.
“For those of you hiding inside government circles, know this: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown in words and deeds that he is a President who positively impacts the lives of Nigerians and has zero tolerance for corruption and sabotage. We have already submitted detailed petitions to the Presidency, the EFCC, the ICPC, the DSS, and the National Assembly demanding immediate investigation into this conspiracy. Those found culpable will be removed, prosecuted, and made to face the full wrath of the law,” they said.
The groups also informed Nigerians of their forthcoming national summit aimed at addressing issues bedeviling the nation’s energy sector.
“The National Summit themed “Energy Truth Summit: Empowering Nigerians with Facts”
“The National Summit will hold in Abuja on 22nd November 2025, it is designed to expose the wrath in the oil sector and why petroleum importers wants to strangulate the local refiners, it also seeks strengthen public understanding of the energy sector through data presentations, practical content creation workshops, and an interactive town hall. Its key outputs, including a digital toolkit for creators, the Energy Truth Badge, and a live fact checking app, will equip thousands of online influencers to promote accurate information. Supported by strong media partnerships and attracting over a million virtual participants, the summit aims to reshape national conversations with verified facts.
“Our Pledge to Nigerians
“The Dangote Refinery is not Aliko Dangote’s personal property, it is a national asset. We, the people, will defend it with everything we have. Through our platforms, our voices, our protests if necessary, and our votes, we will ensure that no cabal succeeds in turning back the clock on Nigeria’s progress,” they said.
The CSOs called on President Tinubu to personally intervene in the energy sector by taking the following steps: “We seek an out right ban on Fuel importation not just suspension of the 15% import duty.
“Directing that only locally refined products be sold in Nigeria as long as local production exceeds demand.
‘Setting up a special task force to investigate and prosecute economic saboteurs in the downstream sector.
“Fellow Nigerians, the battle for affordable fuel, stable economy, and true independence has entered its final stage. This is not Dangote’s fight alone – it is our fight.”
