Energy expert Dan Kunle has criticised Nigeria’s continued importation of petrol and diesel despite the operational capacity of the Dangote Refinery to meet domestic demand. He compared the situation to the 1970s ‘cement Armada’ scandal, where excessive imports led to prolonged port congestion.
Kunle expressed frustration that, despite directives from President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council to allocate local crude oil to domestic refineries, these orders are being ignored. He emphasised that with the Dangote Refinery now refining 550,000 barrels per day, continued large-scale fuel importation is unnecessary and counterproductive.
He urged Tinubu to demand a clear transition plan from relevant authorities, outlining when Nigeria will shift from being an importer to a net exporter of refined petroleum products. Kunle stressed that the Dangote Refinery is a strategic national asset and called for the removal of any obstacles hindering its smooth operation.
He warned that failing to support local prefining could deter investors and harm Nigeria’s economic prospects. He concluded that those pushing for fuel imports are the real enemies of the country’s progress.