President Tinubu
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ABUJA, NIGERIA – Fresh controversy has erupted in Nigeria’s petroleum sector as the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and more than 75 civil society organisations under the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately order a comprehensive public enquiry into allegations that petroleum products refined in Nigeria are being exported to neighbouring Togo and subsequently re-imported into the country as foreign products.
The coalition described the reports as a potentially massive economic scandal capable of undermining Nigeria’s energy security, distorting fuel prices, depleting foreign exchange reserves and frustrating the gains expected from local refining.
In a strongly worded joint statement signed by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, Comrade James Ezema, and the National Secretary of the CNCSOs, Alhaji Ali Abacha, the organisations said the allegations had raised serious questions that could only be resolved through an independent and transparent investigation.
The demand comes despite categorical denials by the management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which dismissed the reports as commercially irrational and denied any involvement in the alleged arrangements.
However, the coalition insisted that corporate denials alone cannot replace a thorough public investigation into a matter with significant national economic implications.
Contents
Calls for Presidential Judicial and Public Enquiry
The coalition urged President Tinubu to establish a Presidential Joint Judicial and Public Enquiry to investigate whether any form of fuel round-tripping, pricing manipulation, regulatory negligence or economic sabotage is taking place within Nigeria’s petroleum supply chain.
According to the organisations, the issue goes beyond a mere commercial disagreement and strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s economic recovery agenda and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
“The issue before Nigerians is not whether a company has denied wrongdoing,” the statement declared.
“The issue is whether available shipping records, trade statistics, customs documentation and regulatory data support or contradict the allegations. Only an independent investigation can establish the facts beyond reasonable doubt.”
The coalition noted that the allegations did not originate from social media speculation or anonymous claims but reportedly emerged from trade and shipping analyses by international energy market observers and official trade data.
According to the organisations, reports indicate that a significant volume of fuel imported into Nigeria may have originated from petroleum products initially refined domestically before being transshipped through offshore facilities around Lomé, Togo.
The coalition further pointed to official trade statistics showing a sharp increase in petroleum exports to Togo, arguing that the development raises legitimate questions requiring answers from regulators and industry operators.
Fears Over Regulatory Failure
The CNPP and CNCSOs said if the allegations prove to be true, they would expose major weaknesses in Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory framework.
The organisations argued that several critical questions require urgent answers, including whether:
- Existing regulatory loopholes are being exploited by international traders and middlemen.
- Commercial incentives within the pricing framework encourage export and re-import transactions.
- Weak monitoring mechanisms have enabled market distortions.
- Certain players within the supply chain are benefiting from artificial inefficiencies.
- The allegations are entirely unfounded and require official clarification backed by verifiable evidence.
“Nigerians deserve certainty rather than conflicting claims and counterclaims,” the coalition stated.
Economic Implications of the Alleged Fuel Round-Tripping
The coalition warned that if locally refined petroleum products are indeed being routed through neighbouring countries before returning to Nigeria, the consequences for the economy could be severe.
Higher Fuel Prices
According to the organisations, every additional stage in the movement of petroleum products—from export handling and offshore transfers to storage, insurance, shipping and re-importation—creates additional costs that are eventually borne by consumers.
Industry estimates cited by the coalition indicate that such movements can generate substantial logistics expenses per metric tonne of petroleum products.
“The fundamental purpose of local refining is to eliminate avoidable import costs,” the statement said.
“If Nigerian-refined fuel is leaving our shores only to return as imported cargo, then consumers may be paying for a costly and unnecessary commercial cycle.”
Increased Cost of Living
The coalition lamented that millions of Nigerians are already struggling under difficult economic conditions characterised by high transportation costs, soaring food prices, rising energy bills and declining purchasing power.
The organisations warned that any activity capable of increasing fuel prices would inevitably worsen inflation and impose additional hardship on households.
“Fuel remains a critical input across every sector of the economy. When fuel costs rise, transportation costs increase, agricultural production becomes more expensive, manufacturing costs escalate and the prices of essential goods and services inevitably follow,” the statement said.
The coalition added that Nigerians cannot afford additional price distortions resulting from inefficiencies or manipulation in the petroleum sector.
Pressure on Foreign Exchange
The organisations also expressed concern over the implications for Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.
They recalled that one of the major economic justifications for domestic refining was the expectation that Nigeria would drastically reduce dependence on imported refined products and conserve scarce foreign exchange.
According to the coalition, if products refined in Nigeria are eventually classified as imports upon their return to the country, it would undermine one of the principal objectives of local refining.
“It would represent a troubling paradox if products refined within Nigeria’s borders eventually contribute to import-related foreign exchange pressures that local refining was intended to eliminate,” the statement added.
The coalition further warned that any arrangement that increases unnecessary demand for foreign exchange could place additional pressure on the naira and complicate efforts to stabilise the economy.
Terms of Reference for the Proposed Investigation
The CNPP and CNCSOs recommended that the proposed Presidential Investigative Panel should be empowered to:
Investigate Petroleum Pricing Structures: Conduct a comprehensive review of domestic and export pricing mechanisms to determine whether market distortions, arbitrage opportunities or pricing arrangements encourage the alleged export-and-reimport cycle.
Audit Shipping and Customs Records: Undertake a forensic review of vessel manifests, export documentation, customs records, port clearance data and shipping schedules involving petroleum products transported between Nigeria and offshore transshipment locations, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea.
The coalition said agencies such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant institutions should cooperate fully with the investigation.
Examine Regulatory Compliance: Determine whether current regulatory frameworks are adequate to monitor petroleum product movements and identify any weaknesses that may permit abuse.
Identify Possible Economic Sabotage: Investigate whether any individuals, companies, marketers, regulatory officials, shipping operators or international trading entities are involved in practices detrimental to Nigeria’s economic interests.
Recommend Long-Term Reforms: Propose measures aimed at strengthening transparency, improving market efficiency and ensuring that the benefits of local refining are passed on directly to Nigerian consumers.
‘Transparency Is in Everybody’s Interest’
The coalition emphasised that its demand for an enquiry should not be interpreted as an accusation against any corporate entity, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Rather, the organisations argued that a transparent investigation would benefit all stakeholders.
“If the refinery has no involvement whatsoever in the alleged transactions, then an independent enquiry will provide an opportunity for complete vindication based on facts and evidence rather than competing narratives,” the statement said.
The organisations insisted that Nigerians deserve clarity regarding the operations of a sector that directly affects the nation’s economic future and the daily lives of citizens.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda must be anchored on transparency, accountability and economic justice. Public confidence cannot be sustained where legitimate questions remain unanswered.
“We therefore urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately authorise a Presidential Joint Judicial and Public Enquiry into these allegations so that the truth may be established and the national interest protected.”
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to defending the welfare of Nigerians and pledged to continue advocating transparency, accountability and fairness in the management of the country’s petroleum resources.
As public interest in the allegations grows, attention is now turning to the Federal Government and regulatory authorities to determine whether an independent probe will be launched into what could become one of the most consequential controversies in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector in recent years.
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