President Bola Tinubu has approved the postponement of the planned 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel to the first quarter of 2026, buying fuel marketers and hard-pressed households more time before another possible increase in pump prices. 

The levy, which was initially slated to take effect in 2025, is part of the Federal Government’s wider fiscal reforms following the removal of fuel subsidy.

Economic analysts had repeatedly warned that slamming a 15 per cent duty on fuel imports at this time could trigger a new wave of price hikes across transport, food and manufacturing.

Oil marketers say the decision offers short-term relief but insist that Nigeria must urgently resolve structural issues in the downstream sector. They point to uncertainties around supply from the Dangote Refinery, the state of NNPC depots and the capacity of local refineries to meet domestic demand.

Labour groups and consumer advocates, on their part, describe the postponement as evidence that the government recognises the pain of ordinary Nigerians but insist that clear timelines for wage reviews, social safety programmes and public transportation support must follow.