Stakeholders Renew Calls for FG to Revive Idle Refineries

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s petroleum sector have renewed calls on the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) to restore the country’s government-owned refineries to sustainable operation amid rising petroleum prices.

The latest call follows renewed concerns over the operational status of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has urged the government to restart the facilities, arguing that increased domestic refining could strengthen supply and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.

NNPC Ltd., however, says it is pursuing a more sustainable approach. The company is currently evaluating technical and financial partnership options for the completion, operation and long-term optimisation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

In April 2026, NNPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese companies Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd. for a potential technical equity partnership aimed at supporting the restart and expansion of the two refineries. NNPC said any final agreement would remain subject to further negotiations and approvals.

President Bola Tinubu had also stated in August that the Federal Government would revive the refineries, while insisting that their return must be based on proper restructuring, technical assessment and commercial viability.

With stakeholders continuing to push for action, attention is now focused on whether the ongoing partnership discussions will translate into sustained refinery operations rather than temporary restarts.