President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s state-owned Port Harcourt and Warri refineries will become fully operational, pushing back against doubts previously raised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the viability of the facilities.
Tinubu made his position known on Thursday when he received the Executive President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Salimon Oladiti, and other union members at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The President’s comments come amid renewed debate over the future of Nigeria’s government-owned refineries, which have consumed billions of dollars in rehabilitation and maintenance spending over the years.
Obasanjo has repeatedly questioned whether the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries can operate sustainably after years of failed attempts to restore them to full production. Tinubu, however, appears determined to continue with the government’s rehabilitation strategy.
The President told the NUPENG delegation that the refineries would work, signalling his confidence in the ongoing efforts to revive domestic refining capacity. His position represents a clear contrast with Obasanjo’s scepticism about whether the facilities can deliver value after the enormous investments already made in them.
The issue is particularly important as Nigeria seeks to reduce its dependence on imported petroleum products. A functioning network of domestic refineries would allow more of the country’s crude oil to be processed locally, potentially reducing pressure on foreign exchange and strengthening domestic fuel supply.
The Warri Refinery, which has a nameplate capacity of 125,000 barrels per day, was reported to have resumed partial operations in December 2024 following rehabilitation. However, questions about its sustained operation and efficiency have continued.
The Port Harcourt refinery has similarly been at the centre of the government’s efforts to restore Nigeria’s refining industry. Authorities have repeatedly announced milestones in its rehabilitation, while critics have questioned the amount spent and whether the facilities can operate consistently once revived.
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