Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) for inviting him to tour the rehabilitated Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, describing the gesture as disrespectful. The invitation, extended through the corporation’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, followed Obasanjo’s remarks during an interview on Channels Television.
In the interview, the former president expressed frustration over Nigeria’s failed attempts to privatize and efficiently manage its oil plants. He disclosed that during his tenure, a $750 million Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative involving Dangote was refunded by his successor, who insisted that the NNPC could manage the refineries independently—a claim Obasanjo refuted. He lamented that over $2 billion had since been squandered on the facilities without any tangible results.
Dangote vs. NNPCL: A Contrast in Management
Obasanjo commended Aliko Dangote’s private sector-led approach to refinery management, contrasting it with the inefficiency of government-controlled operations. He also revealed that even Shell had declined his offer to manage Nigeria’s refineries, citing concerns over systemic inefficiencies.
“The government has proven incapable of running these refineries,” Obasanjo said, adding, “If Dangote can build and manage his refinery successfully, it only underscores what we could have achieved if the private sector was allowed to take the lead.”
In response, NNPCL’s Femi Soneye claimed that significant progress had been made in reviving the refineries. “We invite Obasanjo to witness firsthand the transformation achieved under the new NNPC Limited,” he said. However, Obasanjo’s aide dismissed the invitation as inappropriate, insisting that no formal correspondence had been sent to the former president.
Alleged Irregularities in Refinery Operations
Doubts linger over the NNPCL’s claims about the functionality of its refineries. Reports by OpitanglobaMedia highlighted discrepancies at the Port Harcourt Refinery, which supposedly resumed operations on November 26, 2024. Investigations revealed that the facility had ceased petrol lifting by mid-December, with workers attributing delays to calibration processes.
Similar skepticism greeted the announcement of the Warri Refinery’s reopening on December 31. Observers argue that the refineries’ intermittent operations underscore the longstanding inefficiencies in the nation’s oil sector, which Obasanjo criticized. Attempts by journalists to obtain clarifications from NNPCL representatives were met with silence, fueling suspicions about the authenticity of the company’s claims.
Socio-Political Groups Rally Behind Obasanjo
The Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have thrown their weight behind Obasanjo. Afenifere’s Secretary-General, Chief Sola Ebiseni, described the invitation as “sheer arrogance and disrespect,” emphasizing that the former president’s critique of the government’s management of refineries was both valid and timely.
“What Obasanjo said reflects the realities of a sector plagued by mismanagement and corruption,” Ebiseni noted. “The NNPCL’s response is an insult to the office of a former president who has consistently championed transparency and efficiency in public administration.”
The CUPP also condemned the invitation as an attempt to distract from the NNPCL’s inability to deliver results despite billions spent on refinery rehabilitation. They called for greater accountability in the sector to ensure that public funds are not wasted.
As the debate over the refineries’ rehabilitation continues, Obasanjo’s criticisms have reignited public discourse on the inefficiencies plaguing Nigeria’s oil sector. While the NNPCL insists on progress, the evidence on the ground raises serious questions about its claims, further underscoring the need for transparency and private-sector involvement in managing the nation’s critical assets.
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