The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is facing growing backlash from energy sector stakeholders following the shutdown of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) barely a month after it was declared operational—despite a staggering $897.6 million spent on its revitalization.
Documents obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority reveal that the Warri refinery, with an installed capacity of 125,000 barrels per day was shut down on January 25, 2025 due to critical safety concerns involving its Crude Distillation Unit Main Heater. This development contradicts earlier claims made by former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer – Mele Kyari who hailed the facility’s December 30, 2024 relaunch as a milestone in Nigeria’s drive for energy self-sufficiency.
The shutdown has stirred widespread criticism, with industry experts questioning the transparency and efficiency of NNPCL’s refinery management. Many see the failure as part of a recurring pattern of underperformance across Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.
Adding to the controversy, the Port Harcourt Refinery which was recommissioned in November 2024 after a $1.5 billion revitalization has reportedly operated below 43 percent capacity in the past six months—far below the 70 percent efficiency publicly stated by NNPCL. Production figures show inconsistent outputs, with petrol production dipping to zero in March and April 2025. Instead, diesel accounted for the bulk of the refinery’s output—raising further concerns about operational priorities.
Despite public statements by NNPCL claiming routine maintenance, the prolonged shutdown at Warri and poor performance at Port Harcourt have triggered calls for transparency. The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria – Chief Chinedu Ukadike characterized the situation as “disheartening,” urging the President to declare a state of emergency on the nation’s refineries.
While NNPCL insists repairs are ongoing and operations will resume soon, experts argue that the billions sunk into refurbishing Nigeria’s refineries have failed to yield meaningful results. With rising skepticism and growing demand for transparency, many are agitating for a comprehensive audit of NNPCL’s refinery overhaul projects and a reevaluation of the company’s capacity to manage such critical national assets.
