President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his excitement over the revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, signaling a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum refining. The President has also directed the immediate activation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries to bolster the nation’s refining capacity.
The announcement came as the Port Harcourt refinery resumed operations after years of inactivity, marking a significant step toward reducing Nigeria’s dependency on imported refined petroleum products.
In a statement released on Monday, President Tinubu emphasized his administration’s commitment to revitalizing the oil and gas sector to deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.
“This is a momentous achievement for our country. The resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery is a testament to our resolve to restore critical infrastructure and reduce the strain of fuel importation on our economy,” the President said.
Immediate Plans for Warri and Kaduna Refineries
President Tinubu further instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to expedite the rehabilitation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries to bring them back online as soon as possible.
The move aligns with the administration’s broader energy reform agenda, which aims to ensure affordable fuel availability for Nigerians while boosting local refining capacity to support economic growth.
Economic Impact
The revival of the refineries is expected to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and reduce foreign exchange pressures caused by the importation of refined petroleum products. Experts believe that fully operational refineries will contribute to stabilizing fuel prices and enhancing energy security in the long term.
The directive underscores the Tinubu administration’s focus on leveraging Nigeria’s oil and gas resources to foster sustainable development and reduce fiscal strain.
Further updates are expected as plans for the activation of Warri and Kaduna refineries unfold.
