The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has made an urgent appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing the critical need to stop the importation of substandard petroleum products, commonly referred to as fake fuel, into Nigeria. In a statement released in Abuja by the association’s Global President, Solomon Ola, ANPE highlighted the severe risk that these tainted products pose to citizens and called for an immediate investigation into this alarming trend.
ANPE pointed out that this issue carries potential diplomatic repercussions, especially considering the existing sanctions on Russian-sourced crude and petroleum products enforced by the Price Cap Coalition, which includes the European Union, the United States, the G7, and Australia. These restrictions, imposed following Russia’s actions in Ukraine, aim to prevent the sale of Russian oil at prices exceeding $60 per barrel. However, Nigeria has reportedly been targeted as a destination for these sanctioned and lower-quality products.
Despite Nigeria’s status as a leading oil producer, the country remains reliant on imported refined petroleum, a dependence that affects over 150 million citizens. This reliance is exacerbated by the non-operational state of the nation’s refineries in Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt, despite substantial investments by successive administrations. Meanwhile, the Dangote Refinery, seen as a promising local solution, faces obstacles that industry insiders allege are driven by vested interests.
These same interests are also accused of facilitating the influx of off-spec fuel into Nigeria—a matter currently under scrutiny by the National Assembly Joint Committee.
The ANPE expressed deep concern over the widespread availability of such substandard fuel, which poses significant economic and safety risks. These concerns include damage to vehicles and equipment, environmental harm, and public health hazards from the toxic emissions produced by adulterated fuel.
The group warned that these health impacts could burden Nigeria’s already strained public health system, further compounding economic challenges.
The association’s statement underscored the absurdity of prioritizing costly and subpar imported fuel over better-quality options from local sources. ANPE argued that the importation of these products not only undermines Nigeria’s economy but also contradicts President Tinubu’s economic agenda.
It lamented how Nigeria has become a preferred market for European firms looking to offload unsellable products, noting that other African nations, including Ghana and Kenya, have resisted such imports.
ANPE called on President Tinubu to take decisive action by directing the appropriate agencies to investigate and halt this illegal trade, which endangers both the nation’s economy and its citizens. The association stressed that urgent intervention is needed to protect Nigeria from becoming a dumping ground for hazardous petroleum products.
