The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed strong support for the Federal Government’s recent approval of a 15 per cent import tariff on petrol and diesel, describing it as a strategic move aligned with the “Nigeria First” agenda.

MAN Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, emphasized that the policy is a key step toward energy sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth anchored on domestic production. He stressed the need for transparent implementation, calling on regulators such as PPPRA, NMDPRA, and FCCPC to monitor domestic pricing and prevent excessive mark-ups or anti-competitive behavior.

The association highlighted the importance of a stable transition period, urging government support for local refiners to avoid supply shocks, especially during the festive season. MAN also advocated reinvesting proceeds from the import duty into energy infrastructure, refinery efficiency, power support for industries, and credit facilities for energy transition and renewable adoption.

Ajayi-Kadir stressed that the tariff would encourage local refining capacity, promote backward integration in the energy value chain, conserve foreign exchange, and stabilize fuel supply for industries, while also generating employment, building technical expertise, and strengthening industrial linkages.

The policy, he added, complements MAN’s long-standing advocacy for local content development and the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products, providing reassurance to domestic manufacturers that government is committed to fostering industrial growth and energy security.

“Supporting local refining capacity through appropriate policies will conserve scarce foreign exchange, strengthen the Naira, and create a favorable environment for investment,” Ajayi-Kadir said. He described the tariff as a deliberate industrial policy instrument to protect local producers, curb dumping, and accelerate operational readiness of domestic refineries.

In conclusion, MAN views the 15 per cent import tariff as a critical step toward achieving energy independence and industrial sustainability, which are central to Nigeria’s economic transformation.