The Pathfinder
Saturday September 6, 2025
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The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD Nigeria) has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s proposed 5% surcharge on petroleum and diesel products, describing it as anti-people, economically insensitive, and potentially destabilizing.
The policy, currently under consideration by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), comes barely a year after the controversial removal of fuel subsidy that has already triggered severe hardship for millions of Nigerians.
FULL STATEMENT FROM FENRAD NIGERIA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FENRAD Nigeria Strongly Condemns Proposed 5% Petroleum and Diesel Products Surcharge
Calls the Proposal Anti-People and Economically Insensitive
Abuja, Nigeria — September 5, 2025 — The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD Nigeria) unequivocally condemns the proposed 5% surcharge on petroleum and diesel products, a policy currently under consideration by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This move, FENRAD believes, is not only ill-timed but also anti-people, economically destabilizing, and unjustifiably harsh on already burdened Nigerian citizens.
This surcharge comes in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal, a policy that has drastically increased the cost of living across the nation and disproportionately impacted low-income earners, the working class, and vulnerable populations. The introduction of a new surcharge—without any significant cushioning measures in place—will further exacerbate the hardship faced by millions.
FENRAD Nigeria views this policy direction as tone-deaf and disconnected from the current socio-economic realities on ground. At a time when inflation is at an all-time high, food prices are skyrocketing, public transportation has become unaffordable for many, and small businesses are shutting down due to rising energy costs, it is unconscionable for the government to consider further compounding the burden on the people with a regressive surcharge.
Our Position:
1. The surcharge is punitive – Rather than alleviating hardship, it adds another layer of suffering to citizens already grappling with the ripple effects of subsidy removal.
2. It threatens economic stability – By increasing operational costs, this surcharge will negatively impact small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
3. It undermines trust in government reforms – Piling on more levies after a subsidy removal erodes public confidence in economic policies and reforms meant to stabilize the economy.
FENRAD Nigeria urges the Federal Government to halt the consideration and implementation of this surcharge and instead focus on delivering promised palliatives, instituting pro-poor reforms, and stimulating economic growth through targeted investments in renewable energy, public transportation, and job creation.
We call on the National Assembly, civil society actors, labour unions, and the general public to resist this proposed surcharge in the interest of social justice and economic stability.
Nigeria cannot afford another policy that punishes its most vulnerable. We demand a people-centred approach to governance—one that prioritizes welfare over revenue collection at all costs.
Signed,
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Executive Director
Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD Nigeria)
Email: info@fenrad.org
Phone: +2348033383708, 07062949232
Website: www.fenrad.org.ng
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