Nigeria has decided not to proceed with a planned 15 percent import duty on petrol and diesel, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced on Thursday.
Authorities urged the public to avoid panic buying amid the policy reversal. The import tariff had been approved by President Bola Tinubu on October 29, 2025, following a proposal from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, which recommended applying the levy to the cost, insurance, and freight value of imported fuel.
The measure was intended to raise the landing cost of imported petrol and diesel, protect local refineries, and promote domestic production.
Implementation had been scheduled for November 21, 2025, with experts warning that the duty could have pushed pump prices up by as much as ₦150 per litre ( approx $0.10), potentially triggering higher transportation costs and inflation.
In a statement, NMDPRA Director of Public Affairs George Ene-Ita confirmed the suspension of the tariff and emphasized that the public should remain calm.
The authority’s announcement signals a shift in government strategy, balancing the promotion of local refining capacity with consumer price stability.
