*Group CEO of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari receives the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Mr. Aliko Dangote during a visit by the latter to the NNPC Towers, on Thursday
…Lists Three Things That Make A Refinery Work
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, has made it clear that effective refinery operations require adequate financing, competent Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors, as well as strong operational and maintenance capacity—conditions he said NNPC presently does not meet.
Giving operational insights on Wednesday while speaking at the ongoing 2026 Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES), he the Corporation is now seeking reliable partners with proven experience in refinery management to operate the country’s refineries.
“To make a refinery work, you need three things,” he said. “First, financing to support operations. Second, a competent EPC contractor. Third, world-class operational capacity to run the refinery.”
He added that effective refinery operations require adequate financing, competent Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors, as well as strong operational and maintenance capacity. To him, the current NNPC has none of the conditions.
Continuing, he averred that NNPC’s current strategy, as approved by its board, is to partner with experienced refinery operators rather than contractors.
“We are not looking for contractors. We are not looking for O&M service providers. We are looking for an entity that actually runs refineries,” he said.
He added that the successful operation of the Dangote Refinery had reduced the urgency to rush decisions on reviving government-owned refineries, arguing that “There was a lot of pressure about continuity, but we were not under that pressure. And thank God for Dangote Refinery. Thank God. Whether you love Dangote or hate him, thank God.
“Thank God he is a Nigerian and not someone from another continent. Despite everything, that gave us breathing space because we now have a refinery that is working,” he noted.
