Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (NICOCSO) has discouraged importation of premium motor spirit.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, an executive of NICOCSO, Solomon Chinemerem, said importing PMS is detrimental to the economy.
He said it costs billions in foreign exchange annually and leaves the country vulnerable to global market fluctuations.
Chinemerem said this undermines local enterprises and disrupts the foreign reserves.
He said it is unacceptable that vested interests prioritise personal gain over well-being of the people, obstructing our path to energy self-sufficiency.
Chinemerem called for an investigation into efforts to sabotage local refineries and promote importation of PMS, .
He noted that such actions drain Nigeria’s resources, weakening the naira, and undermine local enterprises.
Th executive said reliance on PMS importation restricts job creation and hinders growth of refining industries.
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Chinemerem urged President Bola Tinubu to caution those behind this, saying investors like Aliko Dangote, have taken steps to establish local refineries, which aims to for achieve fuel independence.
The organisation called for a transparent probe into such activities and advocated a policy requiring crude oil to be sold to local refineries in naira.
It said selling crude in naira would signify a strong commitment to developing local industries and ensuring economic stability.
“It would give local investors a competitive advantage, helping refineries operate at full capacity and fostering a self-sustaining fuel market. The benefits—reduced fuel costs, increased job creation, and economic resilience—will be felt everywhere,” he said.