President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the successful re-opening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), marking a major milestone in the nation’s drive for energy independence. The re-opening comes just weeks after the restart of the 60,000-barrels-per-day unit at the Port Harcourt Refinery in November, signaling a renewed commitment to restoring Nigeria’s refining capacity.
Describing the development as a “remarkable achievement” for 2024, President Tinubu noted that the move has further bolstered Nigerians’ confidence in his administration’s agenda for economic revitalization. He emphasized that the restoration of operations at Warri Refinery, after years of inactivity, is a clear testament to his administration’s resolve to enhance local refining capacity and position Nigeria as a regional hub for downstream industrial activities.
The Warri Refinery, now operating at 60% capacity and processing 125,000 barrels per day, underscores the continuity of a vision initiated under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of former President Muhammadu Buhari. It was during Buhari’s tenure that the comprehensive rehabilitation of the country’s four state-owned refineries was awarded.
In his statement, President Tinubu commended the NNPCL leadership under Group CEO Mele Kyari for their commitment and resilience in ensuring the success of this critical national project.
“The restart of Warri Refinery brings immense joy and hope to me and millions of Nigerians,” President Tinubu said. “It is a significant step toward achieving our promise of a brighter and more prosperous future. This milestone, along with the earlier feat at the Port Harcourt Refinery, reaffirms our administration’s determination to ensure energy security and efficiency.
“I congratulate Mele Kyari and the entire NNPCL team for their hard work and dedication in restoring Nigeria’s pride as a leading oil-producing nation. This re-opening is a significant leap forward in our journey to make Nigeria a hub for crude oil refining in Africa.”
The President also urged NNPCL to expedite ongoing rehabilitation works at the Kaduna Refinery and the second 150,000-barrels-per-day refinery in Port Harcourt to solidify Nigeria’s position as a global energy powerhouse.
The Warri Refinery is set to produce and store critical petroleum products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha, further boosting the nation’s capacity to meet domestic and export demands.
President Tinubu concluded his remarks by expressing optimism about the future, noting that the re-opening of the Warri Refinery symbolizes a renewed era of industrial and economic progress for Nigeria.
