The Federal Government has suspended its earlier plan to implement a 15% import duty on petroleum products, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) confirmed on Thursday.

In a statement signed by George Ene-Ita, Director of the Public Affairs Department, NMDPRA, the agency said the policy is “no longer in view” and urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying.

President Bola Tinubu had approved the controversial tariff on October 29, 2025, following a proposal by Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji. The plan sought to impose a 15% duty on petrol and diesel imports to align import costs with domestic market realities.

The proposal, which had been scheduled to take effect on November 21, 2025, was also meant to encourage local refining by making imported fuel more expensive. The move was widely seen as an effort to protect investments in Dangote Refinery and other modular refineries across the country.

However, experts had warned that the new tariff could push pump prices higher by as much as ₦150 per litre, worsening inflation and transportation costs for consumers.

In its Thursday statement, NMDPRA clarified that the policy would not be implemented as earlier planned.

“It should be noted that the implementation of the 15% ad-valorem import duty on imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Diesel is no longer in view,” the agency stated.

The regulator also assured Nigerians that there is adequate fuel supply nationwide, noting that the country’s stock remains within acceptable sufficiency levels during this peak demand period.

“There is a robust domestic supply of petroleum products sourced from both local refineries and importation to ensure timely replenishment of stocks at storage depots and retail stations,” it added.

NMDPRA further warned against hoarding, panic buying, or artificial price hikes by marketers. It said it will continue to monitor the market and enforce measures to prevent any disruption in fuel distribution.

“The Authority remains committed to guaranteeing energy security and ensuring smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products across Nigeria,” the statement concluded.

The agency also thanked industry stakeholders for their cooperation in maintaining stable fuel availability across the country.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the inclusion of two key federal road projects in Ekiti State in the proposed 2026 national budget.

The projects are the Itawure–Aramoko–Ado Ekiti road and the Aramoko–Ijero–Ifaki Ekiti road.

This was confirmed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, who said the presidential approval was communicated through a letter from the Office of the President to the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji was also copied in the correspondence.

Oyebode explained that the approval followed a high-level meeting between Governor Oyebanji and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who visited President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on November 9, 2025.

The discussions reportedly centered on the poor condition of federal roads across the state.

He added that the approval came amid public complaints about the deteriorating Itawure–Aramoko–Ado route. “There has been deliberate misinformation about the condition of federal roads in the state,” Oyebode said.

“However, the Tinubu-led government has already awarded three federal road contracts in Ekiti, with contractors mobilized to site.”

He further noted that the Oyebanji administration has completed the Ado–Iworoko–Ifaki road and launched several inter-city and intra-city projects over the past three years.

According to him, the two newly approved roads will ease travel, improve connectivity, and boost trade across Ekiti and neighboring states.

“These projects will open up Ekiti to new economic opportunities, in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Oyebanji’s Shared Prosperity vision,” Oyebode said.

Governor Oyebanji also expressed gratitude to the President for his continued support. “On behalf of Ekiti people, I thank President Tinubu for his strategic intervention in the socioeconomic and infrastructural development of our state,” he said.

The governor reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with the federal government, private sector, and development partners to enhance the welfare of residents.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Aramoko-Ekiti, Princess Sherifat Owolabi, recently appealed to the state government to prioritize road rehabilitation.

She warned that the worsening condition of major roads is hurting local trade and discouraging investors.

“Good roads attract investment and drive development,” Princess Owolabi said.

“We are asking the governor to come to our aid and fix our roads. The government has done well in other areas, but this issue needs urgent attention.”

She also urged indigenes in the diaspora to invest in Aramoko, saying improved infrastructure will boost transport, confidence, and commerce in the community.

The Nigerian Senate has strongly denied reports suggesting any plan to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio, calling the claim false and misleading.

Speaking during Tuesday’s plenary, the Senate Leader dismissed the rumour as a deliberate attempt to create confusion and distract lawmakers from their legislative duties.

He clarified that no discussions or moves toward Akpabio’s removal had taken place. According to him, statements attributed to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu were taken out of context.

“From my discussion with Senator Kalu, it was clear the statement was misrepresented,” he told the chamber.

He cautioned that spreading such misinformation could distract the Senate from addressing urgent national issues. Lawmakers, he said, remain united under Akpabio’s leadership and have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against political distractions.

“There is no tension in the Senate,” he said firmly. “We are focused on delivering results for Nigerians and won’t let rumours derail our work.”

The clarification was officially noted during plenary, with senators reaffirming their confidence in Akpabio. Many described the Senate’s response as a strong message to those trying to cause instability within the legislature.

Earlier, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, told reporters that there had indeed been an attempt to impeach Akpabio, though he said it failed.

Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, described the incident as a “family misunderstanding.”

“There were attempts, but we didn’t allow that to happen. We are one big family, and it’s not going to happen,” Kalu said.

Addressing Nigeria’s economic situation, Kalu admitted that citizens are facing hardship but insisted that the economy is gradually improving.

“As a businessman, I feel the pain too,” he said. “The macro economy is doing well, but the micro economy is not. Investors are coming in, and soon the progress will trickle down so people can eat daily and return to farming.”

He added that both President Bola Tinubu and the Senate are working tirelessly to stabilize the economy and achieve food security.

Responding to questions about Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Kalu described Soludo as a “progressive” who may soon join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I think after the court cases, he will join us. He has no other alternative,” Kalu declared confidently.

The senator also predicted that President Tinubu would easily win a second term, saying the president currently faces “no real opposition.”