Tinubu Vows to Revive Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries Amid Fuel Supply Concerns

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring Nigeria’s government-owned refineries, insisting that the facilities must not become abandoned investments despite the expansion of private petroleum refining.

The President’s position was presented on Monday, October 26, during the 20th OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Patience Oyekunle, Tinubu outlined plans to strengthen domestic refining and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

The President explained that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries would involve technical assessments, stronger partnerships and improved operational management.

The facilities, operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, have struggled to maintain commercial operations despite substantial investments in rehabilitation.

Tinubu maintained that the government was pursuing a more commercially sustainable approach to restoring the refineries.

The President also acknowledged the growing importance of private investments in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

He highlighted the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as an important development in the country’s efforts to expand local fuel production.

According to Tinubu, increasing domestic refining capacity could strengthen Nigeria’s position as a supplier of petroleum products to other African countries.

The rehabilitation of government-owned refineries could create additional opportunities for employment, industrial development and domestic fuel production.

Increased refining capacity may also reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and improve supply reliability.

However, reopening the facilities would not automatically guarantee cheaper petrol, as pump prices also depend on production costs, market competition and other economic factors.

Tinubu’s renewed commitment to rehabilitating Nigeria’s national refineries highlights the government’s ambition to strengthen the petroleum industry.

For Nigerians, attention will now turn to whether the proposed rehabilitation efforts produce operational refineries and measurable economic benefits.

Source: Punch Newspapers, 27 October 2026.

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