U.S, Israel, Iran War: Northern group demands immediate crude supply to local refineries
The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has demanded the immediate and unconditional allocation of crude oil to indigenous refineries across Nigeria, including the Dangote Refinery, warning that continued delays could worsen
The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has demanded the immediate and unconditional allocation of crude oil to indigenous refineries across Nigeria, including the Dangote Refinery, warning that continued delays could worsen the country’s energy and economic challenges.
The group, in a statement signed by its chairman, Mohammed Aliyu, said the call became necessary in view of growing global energy uncertainty linked to tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
CNF noted that Nigeria currently stands at a critical moment in its energy history and must prioritise domestic refining capacity to safeguard the nation’s fuel supply and economic stability.
According to the group, the Dangote Refinery has emerged as a major stabilising pillar for Nigeria’s petroleum market, particularly in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as global oil markets experience increasing volatility.
It said that with a refining capacity of about 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, the refinery represents the largest refining complex in Africa and one of the most significant industrial investments undertaken by a Nigerian enterprise.
The forum, however, expressed concern that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has not been supplying adequate crude oil to the facility and other local refineries despite their operational capacity.
CNF described the situation as illogical, arguing that it makes little economic sense for Nigeria to export crude oil to foreign refineries only to import refined petroleum products at higher international prices.
It warned that such an arrangement drains national resources, weakens economic sovereignty, and exposes Nigerians to avoidable hardship despite the existence of refining infrastructure within the country.
The forum also revealed that the Dangote Refinery currently receives only a small portion of its crude supply domestically, noting that about 28 per cent of its crude supply comes from the NNPC, with the highest supply level reportedly reaching only about 32 per cent.
According to the group, the refinery has therefore been compelled to source crude oil from international traders and middlemen in foreign currency while supplying refined petroleum products to Nigerians in naira.
CNF maintained that if crude oil produced in Nigeria is made consistently available to local refineries, the country would experience significant relief through reduced fuel prices, job creation, and broader industrial expansion.
The group consequently issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to ensure the regular supply of crude oil to domestic refineries, warning that failure to meet the demand would lead to peaceful nationwide civic protests.