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A coalition of civil society (CSOs) groups and interfaith leaders has strongly criticised the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) over what it described as an attempt to “reintroduce fuel subsidy through the backdoor” by demanding a yearly payment of ₦1.505 trillion. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) and the Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF) jointly condemned the proposal, warning that such a demand could derail the federal government’s ongoing economic reforms and worsen the hardship already being faced by Nigerians. Reading the statement on behalf of the groups, COCSON President, Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman, alongside COCSON National Secretary, Mrs. Grace Okonkwo, and leaders of NIF, Rev. Dr. Matthew Ayodele and Imam Musa Abdullahi, described the ₦1.5 trillion request as “unjustifiable and detrimental to national development.” ALSO READ: NANS rejects bill seeking to arm FRSC operatives According to them, approving such a huge financial burden would divert critical funds needed for healthcare, education, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation. Suleiman said the groups were deeply concerned that millions of Nigerians are currently grappling with inflation, hunger, and unemployment, adding that government resources should be channeled toward alleviating these challenges rather than subsidising inefficiencies in the petroleum marketing sector. “Millions of families are already struggling to survive, with parents skipping meals to feed their children and many young people losing hope as the cost of living soars,” he said. “It would be unfair and economically dangerous to impose an additional ₦1.5 trillion burden on the people just to satisfy the interests of a few.” The coalition further accused DAPPMAN of undermining local refining efforts by favoring importation over domestic production. They cited the example of the Dangote Refinery, which, according to the groups, has demonstrated capacity by exporting over 3.2 million metric tonnes of refined products in just three months. Rev. Dr. Ayodele noted that while Dangote Refinery was producing locally, DAPPMAN reportedly imported 3.6 million metric tonnes of petroleum products within the same period. He said this practice was counterproductive and posed a serious threat to the success of Nigeria’s refining sector. “When the Dangote Refinery was completed, it reportedly had over 500 million litres of products ready for the market,” Ayodele stated. “However, instead of supporting this monumental national asset, some players in the industry chose to frustrate its operations through continuous importation.” The groups also highlighted that the Dangote Group had to invest heavily in the transportation of its products due to a lack of support from marketers and transporters. “Faced with challenges from key market actors, the company was forced to purchase thousands of trucks to ensure its products reached Nigerians,” Imam Abdullahi added. The coalition emphasized that the issue was not just about Dangote Refinery, but about Nigeria’s broader economic future. They warned that entertaining DAPPMAN’s demand could undo the progress made by the federal government since the removal of fuel subsidy, a policy widely seen as a bold step towards economic stability. Mrs. Okonkwo explained that their position was driven by the need to protect Nigerians and the economy from exploitative practices. She urged the government and the National Assembly to take decisive steps to safeguard local refining and prevent the emergence of cartels that could hold the country to ransom. “We call on the federal government to remain firm and ensure that policies under the Petroleum Industry Act are fully implemented to promote domestic refining and reduce reliance on imports,” she said. “This is about building a self-sufficient energy sector that benefits everyone, not just a few powerful interests.” The coalition also announced plans to pursue both legal and civic actions to resist what it termed a threat to national interest. While not divulging full details, Suleiman revealed that the groups would be exploring the option of litigation and engaging in peaceful advocacy campaigns to raise public awareness on the issue. Concluding the press conference, Rev. Ayodele reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to working with the government and other stakeholders to build a sustainable petroleum sector. “This is not just a fight for one refinery or one company,” he said. “It is a fight for Nigeria’s future, for economic independence, and for the well-being of every citizen.” The joint statement was signed by Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman and Mrs. Grace Okonkwo for COCSON, and by Rev. Dr. Matthew Ayodele and Imam Musa Abdullahi for NIF.
