NNPCL refinery China partnership MoU signed with two firms to support Port Harcourt and Warri refineries’ restart, expansion and long-term viability

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two Chinese firms, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, in a strategic move aimed at reviving Nigeria’s ailing refineries.

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Partnership MoU was formalised on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Jiaxing City, China, and announced in a statement issued on Monday by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh.

The agreement was signed by NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, alongside representatives of the Chinese companies, marking what the company described as a significant milestone after months of technical discussions.

Ojulari said the engagement represents a deliberate effort to identify credible partners capable of supporting the restart, expansion and long-term profitability of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

He explained that all parties involved recognise the need for a mutually beneficial framework that would ensure sustainable operations and improved efficiency across Nigeria’s refining assets.

According to him, the MoU is part of a broader strategy to explore technical equity partnerships, including opportunities in petrochemical development and gas-based industrial projects linked to refinery operations.

The agreement is expected to open further commercial and technical discussions on how to restore full functionality to the facilities and improve their long-term viability.

However, the statement did not provide details on funding commitments or clarify whether the Chinese partners would provide direct financing, equity participation, or operational management support.

The latest development comes after years of costly rehabilitation efforts on Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, including multi-billion-dollar investments under previous administrations, which have yet to deliver consistent operational success.

Port Harcourt refinery briefly resumed production in late 2024 but reportedly shut down months later, while the Warri facility has remained central to ongoing government efforts to revive domestic refining capacity.

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With this new partnership, NNPCL is seeking a more sustainable operational model that blends technical expertise with potential equity participation to ensure long-term stability.