SUSPENSION OF 15% TARIFF ON FUEL INIMICAL TO GROWTH – MURIC

PRESS RELEASE:

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‎MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎MOTTO: DIALOGUE, NOT VIOLENCE

14^th November, 2025

‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎

‎SUSPENSION OF 15% TARIFF ON FUEL INIMICAL TO GROWTH – MURIC

‎The Federal Government (FG) yesterday suspended the 15% tariff on imported fuel.  Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has declared that the suspension of the tariff is inimical to economic growth and self-reliance.

‎This was contained in a statement issued on Friday, 14th November, 2025 by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎He said:

‎”The Federal Government (FG) has suspended the 15% tariff on imported fuel (https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/13/just-in-fg-suspends-15-import-tax-on-petrol/).

‎The suspension was announced yesterday, Thursday 13th November, 2025 by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

‎”In our humble opinion, this suspension is ill-advised, badly timed and in bad taste. It is inimical to Nigeria’s economic growth and self-reliance.

‎”While we appreciate several economic reforms embarked upon by FG which are bold and visionary, we are constrained to single out the suspension of the 15% import tax for scrutiny and review

‎”Coming at a time when the country is just beginning to reap the fruits of the existence of an indigenous oil refinery, the suspension can only be described as ill-timed.

‎”By churning out 1.4 million barrels per day, the existing local refinery can meet the local oil demand which is around 48 million to 52 million liters. Nigeria must allow local industries to flourish. We must equally encourage local investors so that they can multiply. Dangote Refinery is one of such. We strongly believe that its growth will embolden other local business tycoons to come into the picture. 

‎”MURIC strongly appeals to FG to reconsider the suspension of the 15% tariff on imported fuel.  The country stands to gain immensely from blocking further importation of goods that we already have in abundance.

‎”We have a lot to learn from countries like China and Singapore whose leaders locked up their boarders for decades to allow local industries to thrive.”

‎#15%Tariff

‎#ReverseSuspension

‎#DangoteRefinerySuffices

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‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)