The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Ltd) has said it is prioritising three critical factors—financing, a competent Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, and world-class operational capacity—to ensure Nigeria’s refineries become fully operational and sustainable.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this during a fireside chat at the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja.
Ojulari revealed that the company is currently engaging with partners that have proven expertise in refining and petrochemical operations, with the goal of developing self-financing, profitable, and sustainable refinery solutions.
He noted that previous refinery revival efforts focused largely on financing and EPC delivery, but said the current strategy places greater emphasis on establishing a viable operating model that guarantees long-term sustainability.
“Getting refineries up and running requires three critical elements: financing, a competent EPC contractor, and world-class operational capacity. That is exactly our focus at the moment,” Ojulari said.
The NNPC Ltd GCEO added that the company is now better positioned for commercial success and sustained profitability, following ongoing reforms under its transformation agenda aimed at securing Nigeria’s energy future.
In a statement issued by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, Ojulari also attributed recent reductions in crude oil theft to improved collaboration with upstream operators.
“We initiated a fundamentally different engagement model with our partners, focusing on improved systems and processes to achieve win-win outcomes in production acceleration and contracting,” Ojulari said.
He further noted that decisive intervention by the Federal Government had helped address security challenges in the Niger Delta through a structured surveillance framework, including the deployment of AI-enabled solutions and security personnel.
According to him, these measures have stabilised operations, improved production consistency, and strengthened engagement with host communities through targeted Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives aimed at addressing key social challenges.
