A coalition of civil society organisations and stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has announced plans to stage a three-day peaceful protest against the continued importation of petroleum products into the country despite the presence of local refining capacity.
The protest, scheduled to hold from May 18 to May 20, 2026, is expected to take place at the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the National Assembly in Abuja.
The rally is being jointly organised by the Nigeria Civil Society Organisations Situation Room (NICSOSR), the Oil and Gas Workers Advancement Network (OGWAN), and the National Coalition of Oil Assets Protection and Development (NCOAPD).
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the groups said the demonstration became necessary following what they described as the “disturbing and unpatriotic continuation of fuel import licences” despite the operations of the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in Nigeria.
According to the coalition, recent reports indicating that Dangote Refinery had instituted another legal action challenging the issuance and renewal of fuel import licences further heightened concerns over the country’s downstream petroleum sector.
The statement noted that the refinery was reportedly contesting the continued approval of import licences granted to marketers and the NNPCL, arguing that such approvals undermine local refining efforts and violate existing legal provisions.
The groups alleged that the development reflects a wider problem capable of threatening Nigeria’s economic independence, local content policy, energy security and employment opportunities.
“We find it shocking that despite repeated assurances that Nigeria was prioritising local refining and reducing dependency on imported petroleum products, fuel importation has continued under questionable circumstances,” the statement read.
The coalition listed six demands, including the immediate suspension of fuel import licences in cases where local production capacity exists and stronger protection for refineries operating within the country.
Other demands include public disclosure of companies currently benefiting from petroleum import licences, an investigation by the National Assembly into alleged sabotage within the downstream sector, and the implementation of policies prioritising locally refined petroleum products before import approvals are granted.
The groups also called for measures aimed at protecting Nigerian jobs, investments and economic sovereignty.
“It is unacceptable that Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producing nation, still spends enormous resources importing refined petroleum products while local investors continue to face institutional bottlenecks,” the statement added.
The coalition further argued that continued fuel importation contributes to pressure on the naira, encourages capital flight and weakens local employment opportunities.
“We are particularly worried that continuous importation of fuel weakens the Naira, encourages capital flight, destroys local employment opportunities, and keeps Nigeria perpetually dependent on foreign markets,” the statement said.
While clarifying that the planned protest was not targeted at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the coalition stated that certain vested interests within the system were allegedly frustrating ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector.
“This protest is not against the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We acknowledge ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the petroleum sector. However, we strongly believe that some entrenched interests within the system are undermining the President’s vision for economic recovery and industrial growth,” the statement added.
The organisers also called on labour unions, youth groups, transport associations, market bodies and students across the country to participate in the rally.
“Nigeria must stop exporting jobs and importing poverty.
“Nigeria must refine what it consumes.
“Nigeria must protect local investments.
“Nigeria must defend its economic sovereignty,” the coalition declared.