The Muslim Rights Concern has criticized the alleged rationing of crude oil to local refineries, describing the practice as “ridiculous” and counterproductive to efforts aimed at reducing fuel prices in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, the group expressed concern over the rising cost of petrol, which it said has surged to as high as N1,400 per litre, compared to about N820 before the recent Middle East crisis.
MURIC questioned why Nigeria, a major oil-producing nation, continues to experience high fuel prices despite having crude oil reserves and functional refineries. The group said its findings indicate that local refineries are being supplied with insufficient crude oil, a development it described as both paradoxical and unacceptable.
Citing the case of the Dangote Refinery, MURIC noted that while the facility requires an average of 19.77 million barrels of crude oil monthly, it has consistently received far below its operational needs. The group listed figures showing allocations of 4.55 million barrels in October 2025, 6.45 million barrels in November, 4.30 million barrels in December, 5.65 million barrels in January 2026, 4.66 million barrels in February, and 3.60 million barrels as of mid March 2026.
The organization argued that such rationing undermines the capacity of local refineries to operate optimally and meet domestic demand, thereby contributing to persistently high fuel prices.
MURIC further alleged that the situation has forced local refiners to source crude oil through intermediaries in international markets such as London and Dubai at higher costs, a development it said could negatively impact production and pricing.
It warned that the trend could push local refineries to prioritize exports over domestic supply, noting reports that Dangote Refinery may consider selling its products abroad.
The group also raised concerns about the broader implications of the policy, questioning whether Nigeria’s crude oil had been pre-sold by previous administrations, thereby limiting current supply flexibility.
Appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, MURIC urged the federal government to direct relevant regulatory agencies to ensure adequate supply of crude oil to local refineries.
The group maintained that boosting local refining capacity is essential to stabilizing fuel prices and reducing dependence on imports, warning that Nigerians should not be subjected to a return to the era of large-scale fuel importation.
MURIC emphasized that ensuring sufficient crude supply to domestic refineries would not only lower fuel costs but also strengthen Nigeria’s economic resilience amid global uncertainties.
