In a significant policy reversal, the Federal Government has halted the implementation of a planned 15% import duty on Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) .
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) made the announcement on Thursday, stating that the proposed levy “is no longer in view” . The decision effectively suspends a policy that was initially approved by President Bola Tinubu in October 2025 and was intended to protect local refineries by making imported fuel more expensive .
The authority moved to reassure the public, stating there is a “robust domestic supply of petroleum products… sourced from both local refineries and importation” . It strongly advised against hoarding, panic buying, or arbitrary price increases by marketers .
The now-suspended duty had faced significant criticism. Stakeholders, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had warned that the tax would have exacerbated economic hardship by significantly raising pump prices, with estimates suggesting an increase of nearly ₦100 per litre .
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Disclaimer: This report is based on an official statement from the NMDPRA. The situation remains subject to change pending further government directives or policy reviews. CDA News is not responsible for decisions made based on this reporting.
