By Majeed Salaam
President Tinubu’s decision to postpone the implementation of the 15 percent import duty on petrol and diesel has quickly reshaped the conversation across Nigeria’s energy sector.
Rather than an indefinite suspension, the government has confirmed the duty will be deferred until at least the first quarter of 2026. This change was prompted by detailed consultations led by Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, who wrote to the president highlighting the need for readiness, smooth rollout, and minimal market disruption.
Dr. Adedeji’s official memo put the matter plainly: “This adjustment will provide adequate time for stakeholders to complete alignment on technical templates, public communication frameworks, and import scheduling, thereby minimising disruption to the supply chain and ensuring that the reform achieves its intended stabilising impact.” In response, President Tinubu directed that the duty’s start date be deferred for further review, emphasising the importance of safeguarding citizens and maintaining a balanced market.
The government had last month approved the ad-valorem duty as a corrective policy to boost local refining, calm market prices, and foster fair competition between imported and Nigerian-made fuels. But concerns quickly surfaced from operators and stakeholders, who warned the levy could drive up petrol prices, worsen inflation, and hike import costs. As Dr. Adedeji further explained, the deferment opens a window for agencies to monitor local refining, cross-check production figures, and adapt the plan to consumer trends.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) – tasked with ensuring tariff compliance – confirmed the suspension. The agency’s Public Affairs Director, George Ene-Ita, said, “It is no longer in view and not implementable at this time.” He explicitly noted that Tinubu’s approval was received and that the postponement is policy, not speculation.
Oil marketers and sector experts didn’t hide their relief. Billy Gillis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, saw the government’s response as highly pragmatic: “Now that the government has seen that the policy may negatively affect the Nigerian people, it has wisely suspended it. That is the essence of governance, testing, analysing, and acting in the best interest of citizens.” Gillis-Harry added, “Import duty is not a bad thing, but 15 percent is a lot. We congratulate the President for realising in good time that a deferment of the 30-day test run was necessary.”
Mr. Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, commended the people-focused approach: “IPMAN commends Mr. President for the suspension of the tax because it would have indirectly fuelled inflation and distorted market forces. We thank him for this people-centred decision.”
In the end, the government’s move signals sensitivity to the economy’s pulse, a willingness to listen, and a drive to balance reform with stability. As refineries prepare to ramp up production, and as market forces evolve, 2026 will be the year to watch for Nigeria’s next chapter in downstream fuel policy.
