Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says concerns raised by Dangote Refinery about government-controlled petrol pump prices support his call for a production-based fuel subsidy. In statements carried by multiple outlets, Atiku argues that arbitrary pricing policies can force domestic refineries to sell at a loss, and that his proposal would address the issue without undermining refinery viability.
Across the reports, Atiku’s central claim is that his subsidy model targets crude processed in Nigeria, not fuel imports. He contrasts this with an earlier, import-focused subsidy approach and says qualifying refiners would benefit from support tied to barrels refined domestically through mechanisms such as independent verification and electronic monitoring. He also says any extra consumer relief beyond the savings from cheaper refinery feedstock should be explicitly funded and budgeted by the government rather than transferred to private refiners.
Vanguard and the Daily Post Nigeria emphasize Atiku’s backing of Dangote’s position against pump-price controls, framing it as validation of his policy idea. The Nigerian Eye reports additional detail, including Atiku’s broader argument that the government applies “double standards” by opposing fuel subsidy while offering other business incentives.
