Nigeria’s Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to issue an executive order ensuring that all crude oil required by domestic refineries is supplied locally. The organization argues this step is essential to prevent recurring petrol shortages and price surges, following the government’s recent suspension of fuel imports.
MURIC, a civil society group focused on Muslim rights and national issues, made the appeal in a statement on Thursday signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. The statement commended the Federal Government’s decision to halt petrol imports, announced on Wednesday, citing a noticeable increase in local production. However, Akintola stressed that without guaranteed crude oil allocation, Nigeria’s refineries cannot operate at full capacity to meet domestic demand.
“This is a commendable step. Local production has received additional oxygen with this new policy. It is forthright and nationalistic,” Akintola stated. He added, “We therefore urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue an executive order for the supply of 100% crude oil required by local refineries.” Such a measure, he explained, would promote energy self-sufficiency and address perennial fuel scarcity and price hikes for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
The government’s import suspension reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s refining sector, particularly with the recent commencement of operations at the Dangote Refinery and other private facilities. Historically, Nigeria, a major crude oil producer, has relied on imports due to underperforming state-owned refineries and infrastructure gaps. This dependency has often led to shortages, exacerbated by foreign exchange shortages and subsidy policies.
An executive order mandating domestic crude supply could redirect resources from exports to local refining, stabilising petrol availability and prices. MURIC’s request aligns with broader economic reforms aimed at reducing import dependency and boosting industrial growth. While the suspension of imports signals progress, experts note that consistent crude oil supply chains are critical for sustained local production.
This appeal highlights the intersection of energy policy and national economic stability. For Nigeria, achieving fuel self-reliance remains a key goal to mitigate volatility in global oil markets. The Tinubu administration’s response to MURIC’s recommendation may indicate its commitment to overhauling the downstream sector. As local refining capacity expands, ensuring crude oil allocation will be pivotal in transforming Nigeria from a net importer to a self-sufficient producer, with direct implications for inflation, employment, and public welfare.
