The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing policy of conducting crude oil and refined product sales in Naira, declaring that the initiative remains a standing national policy with no set end date.
In a statement posted Wednesday morning via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Federal Ministry of Finance clarified that the policy is not a temporary measure but a long-term strategic directive aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economy.
According to the Ministry, stakeholders have reconvened to reiterate their full support and ongoing commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the initiative.
The policy, which mandates the transaction of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Naira, is aimed at strengthening the country’s economic sovereignty, enhancing local refining capacity, and stabilizing the foreign exchange market by reducing the demand for dollars in domestic petroleum transactions.
The Ministry explained that this policy is structured to foster energy security and encourage investment in domestic refining infrastructure.
“The Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative is not a temporary or time-bound intervention, but a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining, bolster energy security, and reduce reliance on foreign exchange in the domestic petroleum market,” the statement reads.
While acknowledging that the transition involves complexities, the government admitted that existing challenges are being systematically addressed.
“As with any major policy shift, the Committee acknowledges that implementation challenges may arise from time to time. However, such issues are being actively addressed through coordinated efforts among all parties,” the Ministry said.
To assess the progress made and address lingering implementation issues, the Technical Sub-Committee on the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative held a review meeting on Tuesday. The gathering brought together key figures involved in the execution of the policy.
Among the attendees were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who chairs the Implementation Committee; and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, who heads the Technical Sub-Committee.
Also present were the Chief Financial Officer of NNPC Limited, Mr. Dapo Segun; the Coordinator of NNPC Refineries; Management of NNPC Trading; representatives from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals; and senior officials from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). A representative from Afreximbank and the Secretary of the Committee, Hauwa Ibrahim, also attended.
This policy, which aligns with the government’s broader economic reform agenda, is expected to support local content development, ease pressure on Nigeria’s foreign reserves, and provide a more predictable pricing structure for refined petroleum products in the domestic market.
The presence of major players from both the public and private sectors at the meeting shows the scale of collaboration required to sustain the policy. It also reflects the growing confidence in Nigeria’s shift toward economic policies that prioritize local capacity and currency resilience.
(Nation)