The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has come under fire from Nigerians for its inability to revive the country's refineries despite spending billions of naira on repairs. The controversy surrounds the NNPC's 100-day performance report under the leadership of Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari.
Public Outrage
Many Nigerians have expressed frustration and disappointment over the NNPC's failure to restore the refineries to operational status. Some notable comments include ¹ ²:
- *Akin Ajagbe*: "Where are our refineries? What happened after spending billions to repair them? Ojulari talks of milestones while N210 trillion is under Senate probe. This isn’t transparency."
- *Adamu Kure*: "NNPC is celebrating 100 days with a glossy report, but Nigerians are still buying fuel at N910 per litre. The refineries are lifeless, and we’re still importing petrol. This is PR, not progress."
- *Simi Coker*: "NNPC is still a cartel of fraudsters. Nothing has changed. Just another name, same issues."
NNPC's Report Card
The NNPC's report card highlighted ambitious targets, including:
- *Increasing oil production*: 2 million barrels per day by 2027
- *Expanding refining capacity*: 200,000 barrels daily by 2027
- *Attracting investments*: $30 billion by 2030
However, critics argue that these goals are unrealistic and lack substance, given the current state of the refineries ¹.
Refineries' Status
The Warri Refinery has been shut down since January 2025, while the Port Harcourt refinery operates at less than 40% capacity. The NNPC has spent approximately $18 billion on refinery repairs, with some estimates suggesting that the Warri Refinery alone consumed $879.6 million in maintenance costs ³ ².
Calls for Action
A coalition of Nigerian patriots has demanded an independent technical audit of the nation's refineries and called for Ojulari's removal from office. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has also weighed in, stating that the NNPC lacks the authority to sell the refineries without legislative approval ⁴ ⁵.
Conclusion
The NNPC's inability to restore the refineries to operational status has sparked widespread criticism and calls for accountability. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the NNPC will be able to achieve its ambitious targets and improve the country's energy security.
