NNPC Group CEO Bayo Ojulari is facing growing backlash over what critics describe as contradictory and confusing narratives surrounding the prolonged shutdown of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
When Port Harcourt Refinery was shut in May 2025, Nigerians were told it was for a routine 30-day maintenance exercise. More than a year later, the refineries remain largely inactive, despite billions of dollars already spent on rehabilitation.
Industry insiders have since questioned the official explanation, alleging the facilities were not due for major maintenance at the time of closure. Weeks later, Ojulari further stirred controversy by suggesting on the international stage that Nigeria was seeking buyers and investors for the refineries, only to later deny plans for any outright sale.
In another shift, Ojulari claimed the refineries were operational but not commercially viable. Yet during a recent China trip, NNPC signed fresh agreements with Chinese firms to “revive” the same facilities, sparking widespread criticism over apparent policy inconsistency.
Energy stakeholders now argue that the repeated reversals have eroded public trust and exposed deeper uncertainty within Nigeria’s refinery strategy.
With over $2.4 billion committed to refinery rehabilitation, pressure is mounting for independent audits, full financial disclosures, and legislative scrutiny as Nigerians demand answers over what many now see as a costly cycle of confusion.
