The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Bayo Ojulari, has revealed that reviving Nigeria’s refineries has been an extremely difficult task due to decades of neglect, explaining that despite substantial investments, the plants have suffered such extensive deterioration that repairing one part only exposes problems elsewhere, likening the situation to an old car left unused and unmaintained for years; Ojulari made these disclosures on Thursday while hosting a delegation from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at NNPC Towers in Abuja, further revealing that technical and commercial reviews of the refineries—specifically the Port Harcourt refinery—have been completed, and that the company is now pursuing a new model which involves bringing in a professional refining partner to collaborate with NNPC to ensure sustainable operations.
He also highlighted that NNPC is leveraging its equity in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to diversify supply sources and ensure no shortage of petroleum products during this transition period, while emphasizing that since his appointment about five months ago, his primary focus has been on reviving the nation’s refineries through an Incorporated Joint Venture model that minimizes political interference and prioritizes sustainable refinery operations, noting that President Bola Tinubu supports doing things correctly rather than rushing for quick fixes.
Ojulari candidly acknowledged that the company is facing significant resistance from individuals opposed to the ongoing transformation efforts within the NNPC, stressing that these reforms are tough and will inevitably come with challenges, but he assured Nigerians that the company will not succumb to short-term pressures because lasting change requires resilience and patience, which will ultimately benefit the country and its citizens.
Meanwhile, Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN, expressed gratitude to the NNPC management for their partnership during the recently held 2025 PENGASSAN Energy & Labour Summit in Abuja and commended the “remarkable milestones” achieved under Ojulari’s leadership, including the resumption of pipeline operations and significant reductions in crude oil theft, while advocating for a model where experienced refiners buy into refinery shares to reduce political interference and improve operational sustainability, and applauding the improved pipeline integrity that has contributed to increased production levels in the industry since Ojulari assumed office.
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