- Students support the 15% import duty on petrol and diesel to protect local refining capacity.
- They call for a total ban on refined fuel imports and a guaranteed supply of crude oil for domestic refineries.
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has expressed firm support for the federal government’s 15% import duty on petrol and diesel. The student body believes the decision will strengthen local refining capacity and safeguard Nigeria’s energy future.
Speaking at a peaceful rally in Lagos, NAPS Senate President, Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, praised President Bola Tinubu for the policy. He stated that Nigeria must refine its own crude oil, create jobs, and end dependence on imported fuel. According to him, the new import duty signals a decisive move to protect domestic refiners and promote industrial growth.
He explained that the 15% duty would make imported fuel less attractive, allowing refineries such as the Dangote Refinery to thrive. Consequently, this will help stabilise jobs, reduce foreign exchange pressure, and drive Nigeria towards self-sufficiency in fuel production.
NAPS commended the Dangote Group for establishing Africa’s largest private refinery. The facility currently processes about 650,000 barrels of crude per day and plans to expand to 1.4 million barrels. This expansion, the students noted, reflects confidence in Nigeria’s potential and commitment to national progress.
However, they emphasised that a consistent crude oil supply remains crucial for sustaining local refining capacity. Therefore, they urged the federal government to guarantee priority crude allocation to all domestic refineries.
The students also demanded a total ban on the importation of refined fuel, similar to the former ban on rice imports. They argued that Nigeria must refine and consume what it produces.
In addition, NAPS called for an investigation into oil sector unions accused of sabotaging government-owned refineries. They urged the government to restructure or deregister any group found guilty of anti-national practices.
The association further proposed a patriotic “Refine Nigeria, Buy Nigeria” campaign to promote locally refined products. They believe such a campaign will strengthen the naira, empower local industries, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
Finally, NAPS urged the National Assembly to enact a Local Refining Protection and Development Act to criminalise actions that undermine domestic refining or crude supply to local refineries.