‘No verifiable evidence’ – Reps move to probe ‘$18bn spent’ on rehabilitation of refineries

The Nigeria’s House of Representatives has resorted to probe money spent on the rehabilitation of the country’s refineries.

The House passed the resolution during plenary on Thursday following the adoption of a motion sponsored by a Lagos lawmaker, Sesi Whingan.

Whingan, while moving the motion, stated that the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna have remained non-functional after over two decades of rehabilitation despite billions of dollars spent on them.

The lawmaker referenced, president of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who claimed $18 billion has been spent on rehabilitating the refineries.

“Despite consistent annual budgetary allocations over the years, there is no verifiable evidence of substantial rehabilitation outcomes, representing a gross misuse of public funds and a betrayal of public trust.

“Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security are inextricably linked to a functional and accountable downstream petroleum sector, particularly following the current administration’s removal of the petrol subsidy, which underscores the urgent need for operational refineries to mitigate economic hardship,” he said.

According to him, the probe must examine the utilisation of all allocated funds and the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and identify any infractions, mismanagement, or corrupt practices in the management of the assets.

Recall that in March 2021, the federal government had approved $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery in Rivers state.

Similarly, in August 2021, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, also approved the sum of $1.48 billion for the rehabilitation of both Warri and Kaduna refineries, in three phases of 21, 23, and 33 months.

Then in November 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited said the Port Harcourt refinery has officially commenced crude oil processing, but the refinery was shut down in May for maintenance.

The NNPC later said the Warri and Kaduna refineries are still undergoing rehabilitation.

In July 2025, the Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, of th NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari,
said the company is considering selling the refineries, noting that the rehabilitation is becoming more complicated.

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