Ogun lawmaker urges Tinubu to lift border fuel ban

By Olakunle Oke 

The member representing Ipokia/Idiroko Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Bisi Oyedele, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to lift the ban on the supply of petroleum products to communities located within 20 kilometres of Nigeria’s borders.

Oyedele, popularly known as Citiside, said the restriction originally imposed to curb fuel smuggling has now become a source of severe hardship for residents of Ogun’s border towns.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the lawmaker described the policy as “outdated, unjust, and counterproductive to the economic survival of the people of Ogun West Senatorial District.”

The fuel supply restriction, introduced in 2019 by the Federal Government through the Nigeria Customs Service, bars filling stations within 20 kilometres of the borders from selling petroleum products. While it was intended to check smuggling to neighbouring countries, Oyedele said the policy has instead crippled legitimate economic activities in affected areas.

 “This 20-kilometre petroleum restriction has lost its essence. Instead of stopping smuggling, it has punished law-abiding citizens who can no longer access fuel for their vehicles, businesses, and homes,” he said. “I am appealing to the Federal Government to immediately lift this outdated policy and give relief to our people.”

Despite the removal of fuel subsidies, the ban remains in force, with only limited waivers granted. Residents are now forced to rely on expensive black-market fuel for transportation and small-scale businesses.

Oyedele made the appeal during the commissioning of constituency projects across Ipokia Local Government Area, where he also called for the revival of Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, initiated under former Governor Ibikunle Amosun but abandoned in subsequent years.

Oyedele emphasised that Ipokia’s strategic position as a gateway to the West African corridor gives it immense economic potential, yet the area remains largely neglected in terms of infrastructure and connectivity.

He urged both the federal and state governments to pay greater attention to the development of border communities, saying such efforts would foster trade, security, and inclusive growth across Ogun West.