NNPC vows to revive refineries as Bayo Ojulari affirms determination to restart Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna plants despite criticism and failed past efforts

NNPC vows to revive refineries as its Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, doubles down on his commitment to resuscitate Nigeria’s dormant government-owned refining plants in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna.

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Speaking at the Energy and Labour Summit hosted by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in Abuja, Ojulari dismissed doubts about the future of the refineries and rejected growing calls for their sale.

“We are determined to make sure our refineries work,” he stated. “The Nigerian state and its future are bigger than any individual of us.”

Ojulari’s firm stance comes in stark contrast to recent remarks by Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who claimed the refineries may never work again.

Dangote said the NNPC-managed plants had swallowed over $18 billion without delivering results.

Ironically, Ojulari had previously echoed similar concerns during a Bloomberg interview at the OPEC seminar in Vienna, saying heavy investments had yet to yield value.

However, his latest remarks mark a pivot towards what he called a “sustainable solution.”

Despite criticism from industry stakeholders such as petroleum marketers, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, and other private sector voices, the NNPC boss ruled out the sale of the refineries—especially Port Harcourt.

He described the earlier decision to partially operate the plant before full rehabilitation as “ill-informed and sub-commercial,” pledging instead to complete a high-grade rehabilitation supported by advanced technical partnerships.

“Selling is highly unlikely, as it would lead to further value erosion,” he stated.

The Port Harcourt refinery, which was shut down for one-month maintenance on May 24, remains offline two months later.

Warri and Kaduna have also failed to resume full operations.

Critics have accused Ojulari of leadership disconnect, noting that he has yet to visit any of the sites since assuming office four months ago.

Despite the backlash, he insists that ongoing technical and financial reviews will guide future actions.

While NNPC vows to revive refineries, public confidence remains shaky.

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The mixed signals—from internal technical doubts to external calls for privatisation—have left Nigerians wondering whether the refineries are on the path to revival or stuck in another cycle of unfulfilled promises.