Fuel marketers, industry stakeholders, and energy analysts have expressed deep frustration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) over the prolonged and unresolved rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries, accusing the state oil firm of negligence and mismanagement that have continued to undermine the country’s energy security.
Despite repeated assurances from the NNPC and the Federal Government about plans to restore the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna to full operational capacity, stakeholders say the facilities remain largely idle, forcing Nigeria to depend heavily on imported refined petroleum products. This situation has contributed to persistent fuel price volatility, foreign exchange pressure, and higher costs for businesses and households.

Representatives of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) noted that billions of dollars have been earmarked and reportedly spent on turnaround maintenance projects over the years without tangible results. They argue that the lack of visible progress raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the technical competence of those overseeing the rehabilitation.
Some industry operators pointed out that the delays in refinery repairs are not just a technical issue but also an economic burden on the nation. They stressed that Nigeria’s continued reliance on imported fuel drains foreign reserves, creates additional logistics costs, and exposes the market to international price shocks.
An Abuja-based energy economist remarked that the NNPC’s handling of the rehabilitation project reflects a pattern of overpromising and underdelivering. According to him, the inability to meet stated deadlines for refinery completion has eroded public confidence and left private investors sceptical about the government’s commitment to building a resilient domestic refining sector.
Critics have also accused the company of failing to leverage the expertise of proven global refinery operators in executing the repairs. Instead, they argue, the NNPC has been slow to adopt transparent procurement processes, creating room for inefficiency and delays. In addition, industry voices have called for greater involvement of the private sector in refinery operations, suggesting that partial or full privatisation could inject the needed capital, technology, and discipline to complete the rehabilitation.
Marketers note that the ripple effects of the failed rehabilitation are being felt across the downstream sector. Independent operators are struggling with high import costs, exacerbated by foreign exchange scarcity, while consumers face frequent pump price adjustments that worsen inflationary pressures.
Some stakeholders also link the delays to policy inconsistencies. They believe that while the government has declared its intention to end fuel importation, the absence of functional local refineries contradicts this goal. Furthermore, the lack of alignment between fiscal policies, foreign exchange management, and refinery rehabilitation plans has made it difficult for the sector to stabilise.
Energy analysts argue that the NNPC’s failure to restore refinery operations on schedule undermines Nigeria’s broader energy transition agenda. They point out that a functioning refining sector could provide a smoother shift to cleaner fuels by reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and giving the country more control over fuel quality standards.
The NNPC has in the past defended its approach, citing complex technical challenges, the need for extensive equipment replacement, and delays caused by procurement and financing arrangements. However, for many industry watchers, these explanations have worn thin after years of missed deadlines and recurring promises.
Industry leaders have urged the Federal Government to set enforceable timelines, improve transparency, and publish periodic progress reports on refinery rehabilitation projects. They argue that public disclosure of project milestones and expenditure would not only improve accountability but also restore some level of trust in the process.
As Nigeria waits for the completion of major projects such as the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation, stakeholders fear that continued inaction could erode the competitive advantage the country hopes to gain from large private investments like the Dangote Refinery. Without functioning state-owned refineries, they warn, Nigeria will remain at the mercy of global fuel market dynamics, with limited capacity to shield its economy from external shocks.
The calls for reform are growing louder, with marketers, analysts, and civil society groups insisting that the country can no longer afford repeated cycles of promises without delivery. Many believe that decisive political will, coupled with private sector collaboration, is the only realistic path to ensuring that Nigeria’s refineries operate efficiently and sustainably.
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