The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the billions of dollars spent on rehabilitating Nigeria’s refineries, which have remained non-functional despite decades of government funding and repeated repair contracts.
The resolution was passed during plenary on Thursday following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sesi Whingan, a lawmaker representing Lagos State.
While moving the motion, Whingan lamented that the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries have been dormant for over two decades despite massive financial investments meant for their rehabilitation.
He referenced remarks by Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, who recently claimed that about $18 billion had been spent on the refineries without tangible results.
“Despite consistent annual budgetary allocations over the years, there is no verifiable evidence of substantial rehabilitation outcomes. This represents a gross misuse of public funds and a betrayal of public trust,” Whingan said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security are tied to the functionality and accountability of the downstream petroleum sector.
“Following the removal of petrol subsidy by the current administration, operational refineries are urgently needed to cushion the economic hardship on citizens,” he added.
The House, therefore, mandated its relevant committees to probe all funds allocated for refinery rehabilitation, evaluate the effectiveness of past projects, and uncover any instances of mismanagement or corruption.
In March 2021, the Federal Government approved $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery, while in August 2021, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved $1.48 billion for the Warri and Kaduna refineries—to be completed in phases lasting 21, 23, and 33 months, respectively.
Despite these approvals, progress has been inconsistent. In November 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced that the Port Harcourt refinery had resumed crude oil processing, but it was later shut down in May 2025 for maintenance.
The NNPCL further disclosed that the Warri and Kaduna refineries remain under rehabilitation.
By July 2025, Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, revealed that the company was considering selling the refineries, admitting that the rehabilitation process had become increasingly complicated and unsustainable.
The House investigation aims to establish how funds were utilized, why results remain elusive, and whether Nigeria should continue funding the refineries or adopt a new management approach.
