Chief Ayiri Emami, a leader of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for approving a 15% ad-valorem import tax on gasoline and fuel, claiming that the action will make the plight of regular Nigerians worse.
During a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, Emami brought up the issues.
The new tariff is intended to safeguard domestic refineries, stabilize the downstream oil industry, and bolster local refining capacity, according to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, which started the idea and got the President’s permission.
The proposal was a component 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,” according to FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji.
Emami, however, disagreed. He is the Chairman and CEO of A & E Group, a construction, haulage, and oil company.
He bemoaned that the legislation would “hurt the masses, not marketers” in an interview with media.
Additionally, the APC mainstay asked the President to put it on hold until the administration offers Nigerians greater assistance.
“Mr. President is not benefiting from anyone’s advice to levy a 15% fuel tax at this time. This kind of legislation will harm regular Nigerians, not marketers.
“Any tax you impose on petroleum directly benefits the homeless population.” Nigerians are already struggling and going hungry, he claimed.
Emami also cautioned that daily livelihoods have already been severely impacted by gasoline prices, especially for rural and riverine people who rely on transportation and fishing.
“Purchasing fuel determines whether you can even go out to fish,” he stated. It’s not that the fish are extinct; rather, we are no longer able to afford to reach them.
“In my opinion, that fifteen percent ought to be set aside until the government offers Nigerians additional assistance.” We haven’t noticed much improvement even after the fuel subsidy was eliminated. It’s still challenging. Why take on even additional burden?
The oil magnate also voiced concern that the President must have been duped by certain individuals.
“Some people only want to cause additional issues; they don’t care about Mr. President or what he’s going through. “Those are my honest thoughts on the subject,” he continued.
According to reports, Tinubu approved the new rate and ordered its immediate enforcement in a letter sent to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the FIRS on October 21, 2025.
Official estimates indicate that the 15% import tariff might raise the landing cost of gasoline by approximately ₦99.72 per litre, pushing pump prices in Lagos to approximately ₦964.72 per litre, which is still less than regional norms.
According to government sources, the policy is part of initiatives to encourage the Dangote Refinery and modular facilities in the states of Edo, Rivers, and Imo to increase production and lessen Nigeria’s reliance on petroleum imports, which still supply around 67% of the country’s fuel needs.
Industry analysts caution that without matching relief measures, the increased charge might put additional strain on people already struggling with the effects of inflation and the elimination of fuel subsidies.
