The House of Representatives has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the non-functionality of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries, despite spending an estimated $18 billion on their rehabilitation over the past two decades.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Oluwaseun Whingan, representing Badagry Federal Constituency of Lagos State, during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Nigeria’s four refineries—two in Port Harcourt, and one each in Warri and Kaduna—are managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Despite repeated turnaround maintenance projects, none of them currently produce fuel, leaving Africa’s largest oil producer heavily dependent on imported petroleum products.
Whingan cited recent remarks by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, both of whom questioned the viability of the refineries and described the rehabilitation efforts as a monumental waste.
He recalled that in 2007, under Obasanjo’s administration, Dangote and other investors bought the refineries, but the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua reversed the sale, opting instead for government-funded rehabilitation—a move that has yielded no tangible result.
Lawmaker Decries ‘Gross Misuse of Public Funds’
Whingan expressed dismay that, despite billions allocated since 2010, there is “no verifiable progress,” calling it a betrayal of public trust.
“The Nigerian people have every right to ask where the money went. We cannot continue to pour funds into these refineries with nothing to show,” he said.
He also referenced comments by NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, in a July 2025 interview with The PUNCH, where Ojulari admitted the refineries remain non-functional and hinted at a possible sale of the assets.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House directed its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream, Downstream, and Midstream), Gas Resources, and Public Assets to investigate all funds allocated and disbursed for the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries between 2010 and 2024.
The committees are mandated to:
- Audit all rehabilitation expenditures.
- Assess the current condition of the facilities.
- Identify potential cases of mismanagement or corruption.
- Submit their findings within four weeks for further legislative action.
Whingan emphasised that restoring Nigeria’s refining capacity is crucial for economic stability, especially in the post-subsidy era, adding that the probe must be “transparent, time-bound, and result-oriented.”
Rate, Like 👍, Comment 💬, Share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
