‘15% Fuel Import Tariff Will Worsen Hardship’ – Delta APC Leader

Chief Ayiri Emami, a leader of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for approving a 15% ad-valorem import tax on gasoline and fuel, claiming that the action will make the plight of common Nigerians worse.

At a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, Emami brought up the issues.

The new tariff is intended to safeguard domestic refineries, stabilize the downstream oil industry, and bolster local refining capacity, according to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, which started the idea and won the President’s approval.

The proposal was part of continuing changes to “operationalize crude transactions in local currency, strengthen local refining capacity, and ensure a stable, affordable supply of petroleum products across Nigeria,” according to FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji.

Emami, the chairman and CEO of A & E Group, a construction, haulage, and oil company, disagreed.

He bemoaned that the legislation would “hurt the masses, not marketers” in an interview with reporters.

Additionally, the APC mainstay asked the President to put it on hold until the government gives Nigerians greater assistance.

“Mr. President is not benefiting from anyone’s advice to levy a 15% tax on petroleum at this time. This type of legislation will harm regular Nigerians rather than marketers.

“Any tax you impose on petroleum directly benefits the homeless. Nigerians already face hardship and hunger, he said.

Additionally, Emami cautioned that daily livelihoods have already been severely impacted by gasoline prices, especially for rural and riverine people that rely on transportation and fishing.

“Purchasing fuel determines whether you can even go out to fish,” he remarked. We can no longer afford to reach the fish, not that they have disappeared.

In my opinion, that 15% ought to be set aside until the government offers Nigerians additional assistance. There hasn’t been any improvement even after the fuel subsidy was eliminated. It’s still difficult. So why take on yet more burden?

The oil tycoon also voiced concern that the President must have been duped by some individuals.

“Some people only want to cause additional issues; they don’t care about Mr. President or what he’s going through. “Those are my genuine thoughts on the subject,” he continued.

According to reports, Tinubu approved the new pricing and ordered its immediate enforcement in a letter dated October 21, 2025, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the FIRS.

Official estimates indicate that the 15% import tariff might raise the landing cost of gasoline by roughly ₦99.72 per litre, pushing pump prices in Lagos to roughly ₦964.72 per litre, which is still less than regional norms.

According to government sources, the policy is a part of initiatives to encourage the Dangote Refinery and modular facilities in the states of Edo, Rivers, and Imo to increase production and lessen Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports, which still supply around 67% of the country’s fuel needs.

Industry analysts caution that without matching relief measures, the increased charge might put additional strain on people already struggling with the consequences of inflation and the elimination of fuel subsidies.