Nigeria Signs New Deal to Revitalize Refineries

Between 2020 and 2025, Nigeria invested ₦11.349 trillion, $592.9 million, €4.88 million, and £3.46 million into the rehabilitation of its refineries, yet they remain inactive. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has continued to pay substantial salaries to employees of the closed Kaduna, Port Harcourt, and Warri refineries, totaling N60.547 billion in 2020 and N66.779 billion in 2021, despite no production.

The Port Harcourt Refinery Company spent N22.547 billion in 2020 and N32.023 billion in 2021 on salaries, while the Warri Refinery Company incurred N12 billion in 2020 and N14 billion in 2021. The Kaduna Refinery Company reported personnel costs of N26 billion in 2020 and N20 billion in 2021.

A new agreement was signed on April 30, 2026, in Jiaxing City, China, by NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari with Guan Jianzhong of Sanjiang Chemical Company and Bill Bi of Xingcheng Industrial Park to accelerate the rehabilitation and commercial restart of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.