Kehinde Fajobi
The Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organisations has urged immediate investigations into alleged sabotage efforts against efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s petroleum refineries.
The group, which held a protest rally on Friday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, also called for the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), accusing his leadership of harming the nation’s refining potential.
Segun Adebayo, the coalition’s national spokesperson, expressed concerns about what he described as profit-driven NNPCL policies that “obstruct local initiatives designed to support energy self-sufficiency and job creation.”
Adebayo appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, stating, “Despite Nigeria’s potential to refine fuel locally, vested interests within the NNPCL continue to impose Premium Motor Spirit importation on Nigeria.
“This unnecessary import dependency costs Nigeria billions in foreign exchange every year, placing our economy under enormous strain.”
He added that these interests “prioritise personal gain over national prosperity” and frustrate moves toward energy self-sufficiency.
Highlighting local investments, Adebayo noted, “Nigerian industrialists, such as Aliko Dangote, have invested heavily in local refineries to curb Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel. The Dangote Refinery represents a transformative opportunity for energy independence and economic growth.”
He accused a “cabal at the NNPCL” of actively hindering these efforts and promoting fuel importation over local refining, which he described as “calculated sabotage.”
The coalition’s national coordinator, Benjamin James, called for a shift in policy to allow Nigerian crude oil sales to local refineries in naira.
“Mandating that Nigerian crude oil be sold to local refineries in naira rather than dollars would significantly reduce our foreign exchange losses, empower local businesses, and protect the naira,” he said, advocating for measures to empower local refineries, boost job creation, and stabilise fuel prices.
The group further demanded the immediate removal of Mele Kyari, NNPCL’s CEO, with a warning that it would extend its protests across Nigeria’s 36 states if no action is taken.
“We are here today at the National Assembly to demand that our representatives stand with the Nigerian people,” Adebayo said.
“We call for the immediate removal of Mele Kyari from his position… If the government does not act, NICOCSO will rally every day across the 36 States to make our voices heard.”
The coalition emphasised that their advocacy would continue until there was “transparency, reform, and accountability within the NNPCL,” adding that the well-being of the Nigerian economy and people depends on decisive government action.