FG Moves to Avert Fuel Supply Crisis, Assures Stability

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there will be no disruption in the nation’s fuel supply chain, amid rising concerns over the Naira-for-crude oil arrangement and reported disagreements involving the Dangote Refinery.

The assurance came on Sunday through senior government officials, following fears that unresolved issues between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria, and private refineries could trigger scarcity of petrol in the coming weeks.

According to sources, the dispute stems from the recently adopted Naira-for-crude policy, which mandates local refiners, including Dangote Refinery, to purchase crude oil using the naira rather than foreign exchange. While government insists the policy is aimed at strengthening the local currency and stabilizing the economy, operators in the downstream sector have warned that it could create funding gaps and disrupt supply.

In response, government officials moved quickly to douse public fears. They emphasized that strategic reserves remain intact and that mechanisms have been put in place to ensure steady product distribution nationwide.

> “Nigerians should not panic. Fuel queues will not return. The Federal Government has taken proactive steps to resolve the disagreements with stakeholders, and there will be uninterrupted supply,” a senior energy official stated in Abuja.

The statement further noted that ongoing consultations with refinery operators, marketers, and regulators were already yielding positive results, assuring that market stability would be maintained.

Analysts say the development underscores the delicate balance government must strike between economic reforms and ensuring availability of petroleum products in a country still heavily dependent on imported or locally refined fuel.