By John Umeh
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is facing mounting criticism after the much-anticipated $897 million revamp of the Warri Refinery failed to deliver results.
Initially billed as a major step toward ending Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, the project has now become a lightning rod for public anger and questions over transparency, accountability, and project execution.
Industry stakeholders and civil society groups have called out NNPCL for what they describe as “a monumental failure,” citing the refinery’s continued non-performance despite the massive investment. Critics argue that the project’s collapse underscores deeper systemic issues in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, including corruption, poor planning, and a lack of political will.
In a statement, a spokesperson for NNPCL acknowledged “challenges” with the project but insisted that efforts were ongoing to address the setbacks. However, this has done little to calm a public weary of repeated promises and ongoing fuel importation burdens.
The Warri Refinery, one of Nigeria’s key oil facilities, has operated far below capacity for years. Its rehabilitation was supposed to be part of a broader national strategy to revive the country’s ailing refineries and boost local refining capacity.
As Nigeria braces for more fuel scarcity fears and economic pressures, calls are growing louder for a full-scale audit of the project and potential legal action against those found responsible.
