Business
FG has been borrowing to fund petrol subsidy, says finance minister
- As FG ends petrol subsidy in June, allocates only N3.36bn
The Federal Government has been borrowing to fund petrol subsidies and this is totally unsustainable, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, has said.
She said only N3.36 trillion had been allocated for subsidy in this year’s budget in preparation of the government’s termination of the subsidy regime in June.
She disclosed this on Wednesday at the public presentation of details of the 2023 budget in Abuja.
“Fuel subsidy cost was a very high one; We have been funding it from borrowing,” the minister said.
She added that petrol subsidy would “remain up to mid-2023 based on the 18-month extension announced early 2022. In this regard, only N3.36 trillion has been provided for the PMS subsidy.”
The FG had announced plans to end subsidy from July 2022 but changed its position when faced with threats of nationwide protests by labour and pushed it to July 2023.
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The minister also said the reconciliation between the ministry and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, was ongoing to determine crude oil revenues and what should accrue to the federation account.
On the controversial securitisation of the N22.7 trillion borrowing from the Central Bank of Nigeria by Ways & Means, she said her team would engage the National Assembly on the lingering disagreement between the two arms of government.
Debt securitization is the process of packaging debt(s) from a source or number of sources into a single security to be sold to investors.
The minister said the decision to securitise the debt was to reduce the burden on the Federal Government, as interest on the Ways & Means could hit N2 trillion this year, from N1.2 trillion, if nothing was done.
“If successfully securitized, rather than the current interest rate of MPR+3per cent (19.5%), interest on the Ways & Means, it would reduce to about nine per cent,” she said.
On the macro-economy, she said the economy had been fully diversified, with oil revenue projected to contribute only N2.29 trillion (22 per cent of revenue) to the budget in the current fiscal year.
She said, “In aggregate, 22% of projected revenues is expected from oil-related sources, while 78% is to be earned from non-oil sources. This shows that we have achieved a fully diversified economy in this country.”
Non-oil taxes are estimated at N2.43 trillion; Federal Government independent revenues are projected to be N2.62 trillion; while other revenues total N762 billion.
FG awaits stamp duty fund probe
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government was awaiting the outcome of investigations into claims that the CBN had large stamp duty funds in its account.
Ahmed said that investigations had been instituted into the matter but did not give details.
She said, “There is an investigation that is being carried out by a committee. There are also some investigations that are being carried out by some security agencies.
“We are anxiously waiting for the outcomes of these investigations. If funds are realized from these investigations, it will help us fund the deficit in the 2023 budget.”
The presidency had dismissed the allegations of misappropriation of the stamp duty funds levelled against the apex bank.
Budget deficit put at N 11.34tn
This year’s deficit has been estimated at N11. 34 trillion, representing 5. 03 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Ahmed said that the deficit would be financed mainly by domestic borrowing of N7 04 trillion; foreign sources of N1.76 trillion; N1. 77 billion from multilateral and bilateral loan drawdowns; and privatization proceeds of N206.18 billion.
She said the deficit level had exceeded the three per cent of the GDP provided in the Fiscal Responsibility Act and it might be necessary for the law to be amended to accommodate the new realities.
She said there was no plan to restructure the nation’s debt, adding that the administration had consistently met debt obligations.
Rather, she said that the country would continue to spread debt maturities through debt refinancing.
The fiscal deficit for 2022 was estimated at N8.17 trillion, inclusive of the Supplementary budget. As at November 30, 2022, the deficit was N6.37 trillion, which the minister said was totally financed by borrowings, mostly from domestic sources.
Business
Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price to ₦774, Ends PMS Bonus Window
Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price to ₦774, Ends PMS Bonus Window
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has announced a reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, by ₦25 per litre, lowering the ex-depot rate from ₦799 to ₦774 per litre. The new pricing took immediate effect on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
The refinery notified petroleum marketers through its Group Commercial Operations Department, stating:
“This is to notify you of a change in our PMS gantry price from ₦799 per litre to ₦774 per litre.”
Industry checks on platforms like petroleumprice.ng confirmed that the revised price has already been updated across petroleum pricing systems, ensuring transparency for downstream operators and consumers.
In the same notice, Dangote Refinery announced the end of its PMS lifting incentive programme, which had offered marketers bonuses for purchasing within specific volume thresholds. The refinery stated that credits for volumes loaded from 2 to 10 February 2026 would be posted to marketers’ accounts.
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Analysts say the simultaneous price cut and closure of the bonus window signals a shift from volume-driven incentives to a more stable and predictable pricing framework, as the refinery consolidates its domestic market share.
The move comes amid continued volatility in PMS prices following the full deregulation of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and the removal of fuel subsidies. In 2025, ex-depot prices fluctuated between ₦700 and over ₦800 per litre, driven by exchange rate pressures, global crude oil prices, and reliance on imported fuel, which in turn pushed pump prices higher nationwide.
With a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, Dangote Refinery — Africa’s largest single-train refinery — has become a key reference point for domestic fuel pricing. Its operations have helped moderate petrol prices, especially in southern and coastal distribution corridors, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.
Industry observers note that the latest price reduction reflects easing production costs, improved operational efficiency, and increased competition from imported cargoes and modular refineries. As the refinery continues to expand, its pricing decisions are expected to influence national petrol rates, transportation costs, and inflationary pressures.
Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price to ₦774, Ends PMS Bonus Window
Business
Fuel Self-Sufficiency: Dangote Refinery Counters Misinformation on Petrol Imports
Fuel Self-Sufficiency: Dangote Refinery Counters Misinformation on Petrol Imports
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has clarified that there is no importation of finished Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) — commonly known as petrol — into Nigeria, countering recent reports suggesting otherwise. The company stated that locally refined petrol from the Dangote Refinery now meets a significant portion of Nigeria’s domestic demand, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey toward fuel self-sufficiency.
In a statement, the refinery dismissed claims that it imports finished PMS as false and misleading, stressing that such reports misrepresent its operations and could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s local refining sector. The company also indicated that it has identified individuals behind these claims and warned that legal action may be pursued against parties spreading misinformation.
Oil marketers and industry observers confirm that the refinery has consistently supplied petrol to the Nigerian market, reducing reliance on imported fuel. The move has been welcomed by stakeholders, including the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), which advised its members to prioritize purchasing petrol from Dangote’s facility to support domestic refining and strengthen local fuel supply chains.
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This announcement comes amid broader efforts to revamp Nigeria’s state-owned refineries. Talks are ongoing between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and technical partners to enhance capacity at existing refineries, aiming to further reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
Analysts say that the rise of local refining through Dangote’s facility is poised to have several benefits for Nigeria, including stabilizing fuel supply, saving foreign exchange, and potentially moderating fuel prices. As the refinery ramps up production, Nigerians can expect more reliable access to locally refined petrol, signaling a shift from historical dependency on imported fuel toward greater energy self-reliance.
The Dangote Refinery, now one of the largest in Africa, continues to deliver substantial volumes of petrol and other refined products across Nigeria, underlining its central role in the country’s energy infrastructure and the nation’s ambition to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products.
Fuel Self-Sufficiency: Dangote Refinery Counters Misinformation on Petrol Imports
Business
Naira Posts Strong Comeback, Breaking Two‑Year High Against Dollar
Naira Posts Strong Comeback, Breaking Two‑Year High Against Dollar
The Nigerian naira has staged a remarkable comeback against the U.S. dollar, defying expectations and posting sustained appreciation across foreign exchange markets as economic conditions improve, external reserves strengthen, and central bank interventions take effect. This upward momentum reflects a significant shift in Nigeria’s currency dynamics, offering potential relief for businesses, investors, and everyday consumers.
In the official foreign exchange market, the naira has recently strengthened to around ₦1,358 per dollar, its strongest level in nearly two years, fuelled by growing foreign exchange liquidity, rising external reserves, and improved investor confidence. At the close of 2025, the naira finished the year with a gain of over ₦100 per dollar, narrowing the gap between official and parallel markets and underscoring its resilience and renewed stability. The country’s external reserves expanded to approximately $45.5 billion, giving policymakers more buffer to support the currency and dampen volatility.
This performance marks a notable shift from previous periods of sharp depreciation, when the naira traded well above ₦1,600 per dollar in official and parallel markets. In contrast, recent data shows continued strengthening, with parallel market rates also improving, trading below ₦1,500 per dollar at various points as foreign exchange supply conditions eased and market distortions reduced.
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Analysts attribute the rebound to aggressive interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including increased foreign exchange injections into the market — approaching $800 million in December alone — and renewed sales of dollars to Bureau de Change operators. These liquidity measures helped to boost market confidence and narrow the gap between official and street exchange rates, supporting the naira’s appreciation trend as the new year begins.
Economic forecasts suggest that if current policies and external inflows persist, the naira could continue to outperform projections, with some analysts forecasting it might trade around ₦1,350 per dollar by the end of 2026, a level that would signal sustained recovery momentum for the local currency.
The strengthened naira has also had real‑world impacts on prices, with consumers and traders noting sharper pricing for imported goods like smartphones and other electronics, reflecting less exchange rate pressure on retail costs. This relief in price pressures has contributed positively to market sentiment and consumer confidence.
Despite this progress, currency watchers caution that sustaining the gains will require continued economic reforms, stable inflows from oil and non‑oil sectors, prudent monetary policy, and consistent support for domestic production to reduce reliance on imports. The recent performance, however, is being seen as a turning point — a sign that coordinated policy actions and strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals can deliver tangible gains in exchange rate stability.
As Nigeria navigates the complexities of global financial conditions, the naira’s recent outperformance of the dollar stands out as one of the most notable developments in the country’s economic narrative, offering optimism for continued stability in the foreign exchange landscape.
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