The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has attributed the slow pace of the country’s refinery rehabilitation projects to years of long-term neglect, underinvestment, and operational decay in the facilities.
Speaking at an energy stakeholders’ forum in Abuja on Friday, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mallam Mele Kyari, explained that decades of poor maintenance and mismanagement had left Nigeria’s refineries in a state of disrepair, making current rehabilitation efforts more complex and costly.
According to him, the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries require “comprehensive overhauls rather than routine maintenance” because their critical units had been abandoned for years.
“Refineries are not like cars you park and restart at will. They require constant maintenance and upgrades. Unfortunately, Nigeria failed to do this for decades, and that long-term neglect is the major reason why revamping them has become a difficult and expensive process,” Kyari said.
He, however, reassured Nigerians that the ongoing rehabilitation, being executed in partnership with reputable international contractors, was on course and would be completed within the set timelines.
Kyari noted that the revamp is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s energy security agenda, which aims to end Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
The NNPC boss also urged patience from Nigerians, stressing that once the refineries are fully functional, they will not only guarantee fuel availability but also save foreign exchange, create jobs, and stabilize the downstream oil sector.
Energy experts at the forum highlighted that beyond repairs, Nigeria must adopt a sustainable framework for refinery operations, including private sector participation, strong regulatory oversight, and continuous investment in modern technology.
