Nigeria TV Info 
Obasanjo: NNPC Refineries Will Never Work Again, Calls for Full Privatization Reform

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed strong doubt over the future of the nation’s state-owned refineries, stating that facilities under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) may never become fully functional again despite repeated rehabilitation efforts.

Obasanjo made the remarks while speaking on Nigeria’s long-standing challenges in the downstream oil sector. He argued that decades of poor management, corruption, and inconsistent maintenance culture have rendered the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna economically unviable.

According to him, continued investment in turnaround maintenance without structural reform is a “waste of national resources,” urging the federal government to consider outright privatization or complete deregulation of the refining sector.

He further stressed that Nigeria’s dependence on fuel importation despite being a crude oil-producing nation reflects deep systemic inefficiencies. Obasanjo also called for stronger regulatory oversight and private sector participation to ensure energy security and market stability.

His comments have reignited national debate on the future of the country’s energy infrastructure, especially as fuel prices and supply concerns continue to affect citizens and businesses.