Petroleum Re-importation Allegations: Corporate Denials Are Insufficient; Cnpp And Cncsos Demand Presidential Public Enquiry Into Alleged Fuel Round-tripping, Pricing Distortions, And Economic Sabotage

Abuja, Nigeria – June 25, 2026: The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), in collaboration with more than 75 civil society organisations operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs), has expressed profound concern over recent reports and trade data suggesting that petroleum products refined in Nigeria may be exported to Lomé, Togo, before finding their way back into the Nigerian market as imported products.

The coalition described the allegations as serious, troubling, and capable of undermining Nigeria's economic recovery efforts, energy security objectives, and the expectations of millions of citizens who anticipated that domestic refining would significantly reduce fuel costs and conserve foreign exchange.

While the management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has categorically denied any involvement in such arrangements and described the reports as commercially irrational, the CNPP and CNCSOs maintain that a simple corporate rebuttal cannot substitute for an independent, transparent, and comprehensive public investigation.

In a joint statement signed on Wednesday by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, Comrade James Ezema, and the National Secretary of the CNCSOs, Alhaji Ali Abacha, the organisations called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately establish a Presidential Joint Judicial and Public Enquiry to investigate the allegations and determine whether any form of fuel round-tripping, pricing manipulation, regulatory failure, or economic sabotage is taking place within Nigeria's petroleum supply chain.

The Need for Transparency and Independent Verification

According to the coalition, the issues raised transcend ordinary commercial disputes and strike at the heart of Nigeria's economic wellbeing.

The CNPP and CNCSOs noted that the allegations were not initiated through social media speculation or anonymous sources but emerged from trade and shipping analyses reportedly presented by international energy market observers and supported by official trade figures.

The coalition pointed to reports indicating that a significant proportion of fuel imported into Nigeria during a recent period may have originated from products initially refined domestically before being transshipped through offshore facilities near Lomé, Togo.

Furthermore, the organisations observed that official foreign trade statistics have shown a substantial increase in petroleum product exports to Togo, raising legitimate questions that deserve answers from both regulators and industry stakeholders.

"The issue before Nigerians is not whether a company has denied wrongdoing," the statement said.

"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 emphasized that if domestic fuel is indeed being routed through neighboring countries before returning to Nigeria, then serious questions arise regarding the effectiveness of existing regulatory mechanisms and market oversight structures.

According to the statement, several possibilities must be objectively examined, including whether:

1. Regulatory loopholes are being exploited by international traders;

2. Commercial incentives within the pricing structure encourage transshipment and re-importation;

3. Weak monitoring systems have enabled market distortions;

4. Certain actors within the supply chain are profiting from artificial inefficiencies; or

5. The allegations are entirely unfounded and require official clarification through verifiable evidence.

The organisations stressed that Nigerians deserve certainty rather than conflicting claims and counterclaims.

Economic Consequences of Alleged Fuel Round-Tripping

The CNPP and CNCSOs warned that if the allegations prove to be accurate, the consequences for Nigeria's economy could be severe.

Increased Logistics Costs and Fuel Prices

The coalition noted that every additional stage in the movement of petroleum products—from export handling to offshore transfers, storage, insurance, shipping, and eventual re-importation—adds costs that may ultimately be transferred to consumers.

According to industry estimates cited by the organisations, such movements can create substantial additional logistics expenses per metric tonne of product, costs that would ordinarily be unnecessary if products refined in Nigeria were supplied directly to the domestic market.

"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."

Pressure on Household Incomes

The coalition expressed concern that Nigerians continue to grapple with high transportation costs, rising food prices, escalating energy expenses, and declining purchasing power.

The statement argued that any practice capable of increasing fuel prices would inevitably worsen inflationary pressures and further strain household budgets.

"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 coalition stated that millions of Nigerians are already struggling under difficult economic conditions and cannot afford additional price distortions resulting from inefficiencies or manipulation within the petroleum sector.

Foreign Exchange Implications

The CNPP and CNCSOs also highlighted the potential impact on Nigeria's foreign exchange position.

One of the major economic justifications for domestic refining, the statement noted, was the expectation that Nigeria would significantly reduce dependence on imported refined products and consequently preserve scarce foreign exchange reserves.

The coalition argued that if products refined locally are eventually classified and processed as imports upon their return to Nigeria, the country risks undermining one of the principal benefits of domestic 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 organisations further warned that any arrangement that unnecessarily increases demand for foreign exchange could place additional pressure on the naira and complicate broader economic stabilization efforts.

Call for Immediate Presidential Action

The CNPP and CNCSOs urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to treat the matter as one of urgent national importance.

The coalition argued that public confidence in Nigeria's petroleum sector can only be sustained through transparency, accountability, and a demonstrated commitment to protecting the public interest.

Accordingly, the organisations called for the immediate establishment of a Presidential Investigative Panel with a clear mandate to conduct a comprehensive examination of all relevant transactions, regulatory processes, and commercial arrangements.

Terms of Reference for the Proposed Enquiry

The coalition recommended that the panel be empowered to:

1. Investigate Petroleum Pricing Structures

Conduct a detailed review of domestic and export pricing mechanisms across the petroleum value chain to determine whether any pricing distortions, arbitrage opportunities, or market practices encourage the alleged export-and-reimport cycle.

The panel should examine whether domestic consumers are being disadvantaged by pricing arrangements that disproportionately benefit traders, intermediaries, or market speculators.

2. Audit Shipping, Port, and Customs Records

Undertake a forensic review of vessel manifests, export documentation, customs records, port clearance data, shipping schedules, and regulatory filings involving petroleum products transported between Nigeria and offshore transshipment locations, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea.

Relevant agencies including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service, and other relevant institutions should fully cooperate with the investigation.

3. Examine Regulatory Compliance and Oversight

Determine whether existing regulatory frameworks adequately monitor product movements and identify any weaknesses that may permit abuse of the system.

The panel should also assess whether current reporting and monitoring mechanisms are sufficient to ensure transparency within the petroleum supply chain.

4. Identify Possible Collusion or Economic Sabotage

Where evidence exists, the panel should identify any individuals, organisations, marketers, regulatory officials, shipping operators, or international trading entities involved in practices that undermine Nigeria's economic interests.

Appropriate legal and administrative sanctions should be recommended against any parties found culpable.

5. Recommend Long-Term Reforms

The investigation should conclude with recommendations aimed at strengthening transparency, enhancing market efficiency, preventing future abuses, and ensuring that the benefits of domestic refining are fully passed on to Nigerian consumers.

Public Interest Must Prevail

The CNPP and CNCSOs emphasized that their demand for an enquiry should not be interpreted as a presumption of guilt against any corporate entity.

Rather, they argued that transparency is in the interest of all parties, including the Dangote Refinery itself.

"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 coalition added that Nigerians deserve clarity regarding the operation of a sector that directly affects their daily lives and the nation's economic future.

"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 authorize a Presidential Joint Judicial and Public Enquiry into these allegations so that the truth may be established and the national interest protected.

"The CNPP and CNCSOs remain committed to defending the welfare of Nigerian citizens and will continue to advocate for transparency, accountability, and fairness in the management of the nation's petroleum resources."

SIGNED:

Comrade James Ezema

Deputy National Publicity Secretary

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP)

Alhaji Ali Abacha

National Secretary

Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs)