Re-opening of Warri Refinery milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector–Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the reopening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as a landmark achievement, reinforcing hope in his administration’s vision for a revitalized energy sector.

The milestone comes just weeks after NNPCL successfully restarted operations at the 60,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) section of the Port Harcourt Refinery in November.

The Warri Refinery, with a capacity of 125,000 bpd, has returned to operation at 60% capacity after years of inactivity. The reopening marks a critical step in Nigeria’s journey to enhance local refining capacity and reduce dependency on imported petroleum products.

President Tinubu, while expressing his delight, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria into a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa.

“This development brings immense joy and satisfaction, not just to me but to all Nigerians,” President Tinubu stated. “It strengthens our collective hope and confidence in a brighter future, as promised by my administration.

READ ALSO: Tinubu commends NNPCL for re-opening of Warri Refinery

“With the Warri Refinery operational again, alongside the earlier achievement with the Port Harcourt Refinery, we are firmly on track to secure Nigeria’s energy future. I commend the Mele Kyari-led team at NNPCL for their dedication to restoring our national pride as a major oil-producing nation.”

The contract for the complete overhaul of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries was initiated under the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, this vision has been energized, with the Warri Refinery now focusing on producing and storing key petroleum products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha.

President Tinubu emphasized that the reopening of the refinery is part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure energy security and efficiency in Nigeria.

He urged the NNPCL to expedite the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery and the second Port Harcourt Refinery, which has a capacity of 150,000 bpd, to consolidate Nigeria’s position as a leading energy provider globally.

“This is a remarkable way to close out the year, and I am confident that the ongoing work on our other refineries will further cement our status as a regional energy powerhouse,” Tinubu added.

The WRPC’s revival is set to boost the domestic production of petroleum products, reduce reliance on imports, and provide a stable supply of energy to support Nigeria’s industrial growth. The refinery’s return is also expected to create jobs and drive economic development, aligning with the administration’s broader economic goals.

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President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the NNPCL management and its workforce for their relentless efforts in revitalizing the nation’s critical infrastructure. He described the developments in the refining sector as a testament to his administration’s resolve to deliver on its promises to the Nigerian people.