Groups Plan Mass Protest Over Continued Fuel Importation

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

A coalition of civil society organisations and stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has announced plans to stage a three-day protest in Abuja over the continued importation of petroleum products despite the country’s growing local refining capacity.

The protest, scheduled for May 18 to May 20, is expected to take place at the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the National Assembly.

The rally is being jointly organised by the Nigeria Civil Society Organisations Situation Room, the Oil and Gas Workers Advancement Network and the National Coalition of Oil Assets Protection and Development.

In a joint statement signed by Comrade Adebayo Ogunseye of NICSOSR, Engr. Musa Ibrahim Danjuma of OGWAN and Barr. Kingsley Chinedu Okafor of NCOAPD, the groups said the demonstration became necessary following what they described as the “disturbing and unpatriotic continuation of fuel import licences” despite the commencement of operations by the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries.

The coalition expressed concern over reports that the Dangote Refinery had instituted another legal action challenging the issuance and renewal of fuel import licences to marketers and the NNPCL.

According to the groups, the development raises serious questions about the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting local refining and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

“We find it shocking that despite repeated assurances that Nigeria was prioritising local refining and reducing dependency on imported petroleum products, fuel importation has continued under questionable circumstances,” the statement said.

The coalition argued that continued approval of import licences undermines local investments, weakens energy security and threatens employment opportunities within Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

“It is unacceptable that Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producing nation, still spends enormous resources importing refined petroleum products while local investors continue to face institutional bottlenecks,” the groups stated.

They further alleged that the situation reflects deeper structural problems capable of frustrating economic reforms and weakening Nigeria’s industrial growth agenda.

Among the demands outlined by the coalition are the immediate suspension of fuel import licences in instances where sufficient local refining capacity exists, stronger protection for local refineries and full disclosure of companies benefiting from petroleum import approvals.

The groups also called on the National Assembly to investigate alleged sabotage within the downstream petroleum sector and urged regulators to prioritise policies favouring locally refined petroleum products before granting import waivers.

According to the statement, persistent fuel importation continues to place pressure on the naira while encouraging capital flight and job losses.

“We are particularly worried that continuous importation of fuel weakens the Naira, encourages capital flight, destroys local employment opportunities, and keeps Nigeria perpetually dependent on foreign markets,” the coalition added.

The organisers, however, clarified that the planned protest was not directed at the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This protest is not against the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We acknowledge ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the petroleum sector. However, we strongly believe that some entrenched interests within the system are undermining the President’s vision for economic recovery and industrial growth,” the statement noted.

The coalition called on labour unions, youth organisations, transport workers, market associations and students across the country to participate in the demonstration.

The groups declared that Nigeria must end its dependence on imported petroleum products and focus on protecting domestic investments and economic sovereignty.

“Nigeria must stop exporting jobs and importing poverty. Nigeria must refine what it consumes. Nigeria must protect local investments. Nigeria must defend its economic sovereignty,” the coalition said.