CSO kicks against deferment of 15% import duty on fuel, diesel

—Urges Tinubu to Protect Local Industries

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA — The Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (NCCSO) has faulted the Federal Government’s determination to defer the commencement of the 15 percent import work connected Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel until the archetypal 4th of 2026.

In a connection issued by its spokesman, Comrade Mustapha Ahmed, the conjugation described the determination arsenic a setback for Nigeria’s thrust toward vigor self-sufficiency and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to safeguard section industries from undue outer influence.

According to NCCSO, the postponement represents a “victory for importers” and could discourage section refining efforts. It besides called connected applicable agencies to intimately show substance imports to forestall marketplace distortion during the deferment period.

The connection work successful part: “The NCCSO expresses heavy interest implicit the Federal Government’s determination to defer the commencement of the 15% ad-valorem import work connected Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel to the archetypal 4th of 2026, arsenic contained successful the memo approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, connected November 7, 2025.

“While the determination is presented arsenic an administrative accommodation for ‘technical alignment,’ it efficaciously benefits substance importers and could undermine the maturation of section refineries specified arsenic the Dangote Refinery and different modular plants acceptable for operation.”

The conjugation recalled that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), nether the enactment of Dr. Zacch Adedeji, had initially projected the levy to promote section refining, stabilize marketplace prices, and beforehand just contention successful enactment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

However, NCCSO warned that the deferment could let importers to saturate the marketplace with imported products, thereby discouraging home accumulation and investment.

“The authorities indispensable defy pressures from planetary traders and stay steadfast successful its committedness to achieving vigor independence,” the connection added.

“All applicable agencies should fortify oversight of substance imports during this deferment period. While the determination whitethorn look to connection short-term relief, it poses a semipermanent situation to Nigeria’s refining future.”