President Bola Tinubu has hailed the reopening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), describing it as a landmark achievement in 2024 and a testament to the government’s commitment to reviving Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Warri Refinery resumed operations just weeks after the Port Harcourt Refinery restarted its 60,000-barrel-per-day production capacity in November, marking a significant step towards enhancing the country’s local refining capabilities.
Speaking on the development, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to position Nigeria as Africa’s downstream industrial hub by ramping up domestic refining capacity. He credited the current progress to the foundation laid by the previous All Progressives Congress-led administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, which initiated comprehensive rehabilitation of the nation’s four state-owned refineries.
“With the Warri Refinery now operating at 60% of its 125,000-barrel-per-day capacity, our plans for energy efficiency and security are firmly on track,” President Tinubu stated. “The reopening of Warri Refinery today is a moment of joy and optimism for me and for Nigerians. It strengthens the hope of a brighter, more prosperous future that we promised to deliver. This achievement, following the progress at the Port Harcourt Refinery, is a remarkable way to conclude the year.”
The President commended the leadership of NNPCL under Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari for its dedication to restoring Nigeria’s status as a leading oil-producing nation.
“I congratulate Mele Kyari and the NNPCL team for their hard work and commitment to restoring our national pride. This achievement brings us closer to making Nigeria a major crude oil refining hub in Africa,” he said.
President Tinubu further urged NNPCL to expedite rehabilitation efforts on the Kaduna Refinery and the second Port Harcourt Refinery, with a combined capacity of 150,000 barrels per day, to consolidate Nigeria’s position as a key global energy provider.
The Warri Refinery will prioritise the production and storage of critical petroleum products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha, ensuring a steady supply of essential energy products to meet domestic demand.