A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a 15 percent tariff on petrol and diesel, warning that the move will worsen the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
Emami expressed concerns at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service proposed and received the president’s approval for the new tariff, which aims to protect domestic refineries, stabilize the downstream oil sector, and strengthen local refining capacity.
FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji elucidated that the initiative was part of ongoing reforms to “operationalize crude transactions in local currency, strengthen local refining capacity, and ensure a stable, affordable supply of petroleum products across Nigeria.”
However, Emami, who is also the chairman and CEO of A & E Group, an oil, construction, and haulage company, disagreed.
Speaking to journalists, he expressed concern that the measure would “hurt the masses, not marketers.”
The APC stalwart also urged the president to delay it until the government delivers additional relief to Nigerians.
“Anybody advising Mr. President to impose a 15 percent tax on petroleum right now is not doing him any good. This kind of policy will not hurt marketers—it will hurt ordinary Nigerians.
“Whatever tax you put on petroleum goes straight back to the people on the streets. Nigerians are already hungry and struggling,” he said.
Emami also cautioned that the expense of fuel has already harmed everyday livelihoods, particularly in rural and riverine communities that rely on fishing and transportation.
He stated that the purchase of fuel dictates whether or not you can go fishing. It isn’t that the fish have vanished; it’s that we can’t afford to catch them anymore.
“For me, that 15 percent should be kept aside until the government provides more relief to Nigerians. Even after removing the fuel subsidy, we haven’t seen much positive reflection. Things are still hard. So why add another burden?”
He also expressed fear that certain persons must have been misleading the President.
“Some people don’t care about Mr. President or what he’s going through—they just want to create more problems. Those are my honest opinions on the matter,” he added.
Chronicle NG reports that Tinubu’s approval of the new tariff was conveyed in an October 21, 2025, letter to the FIRS and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, directing immediate enforcement.
According to official forecasts, the 15% import levy could increase the landing cost of petrol by roughly ₦99.72 per liter, pushing pump prices in Lagos to around ₦964.72, still below regional norms.
The strategy, according to government sources, is part of efforts to encourage the Dangote Refinery and modular facilities in Edo, Rivers, and Imo states to increase production and lessen Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports, which still account for around 67% of national demand.
However, industry analysts warn that without equivalent relief measures, the new charge might put further strain on consumers already struggling with the effects of fuel subsidy reduction and inflation.
