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Port Harcourt refinery petrol denial sparks PETROAN credibility crisis

PETROAN denies lifting petrol from Port Harcourt refinery, contradicting earlier claims, raising concerns over refinery transparency and fuel distribution.

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Port Harcourt refinery petrol denial

PETROAN denies lifting petrol from Port Harcourt refinery, contradicting earlier claims, raising concerns over refinery transparency and fuel distribution

Port Harcourt refinery petrol denial by the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria has sparked fresh questions about the transparency of fuel supply operations in the country.

Also read: Warri Refinery:  NNPC and the Triumph over Scepticism 

Four months after assuring Nigerians that its members had begun lifting Premium Motor Spirit from the NNPC-managed refinery, PETROAN now claims it never did.

The reversal came during a live television appearance by the association’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry. He said that while members lifted diesel and kerosene from the Port Harcourt facility, petrol was never distributed commercially to them.

“For the products that we were lifting in NNPC, especially in Port Harcourt refinery, most of them were DPK and AGO,” he stated. “PMS was lifted by NNPC to NNPC trucks and stations… but we did not buy any commercial PMS from NNPC while the process of doing distribution from that depot was going on.”

His remarks directly contradicted PETROAN’s earlier statement issued in February by the association’s spokesman, Joseph Obele. At the time, Obele said members were lifting all major products—diesel, kerosene, and petrol—from the Port Harcourt refinery, which had recently resumed operations after a $1.5 billion overhaul.

The February statement read, “PETROAN members are now loading petroleum products, including DPK, AGO, and PMS,” adding that the revitalised refineries were contributing to price reductions and helping curb the spread of adulterated fuels.

The conflicting narratives have left many Nigerians questioning whether the Port Harcourt refinery was ever fully operational.

A report by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in April noted that the refinery was running at 42 per cent capacity before it was shut down for maintenance in May.

Critics say PETROAN’s shifting position undermines public confidence, especially after months of speculation about the viability of the refineries.

Until recently, PETROAN was one of the most vocal supporters of the NNPC’s rehabilitation projects. Its apparent about-face has been linked by observers to changes in leadership at the state oil company, including the removal of Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer.

The revelation has reignited calls for the Federal Government to privatise the nation’s three refineries, located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.

Supporters of privatisation argue that government-run facilities have consistently failed to meet national demand, even after repeated investments.

While Gillis-Harry reaffirmed PETROAN’s commitment to supporting the success of NNPC’s turnaround maintenance, the association’s credibility has been brought into question.

Also read: Northern Nigeria set for Oil drilling restart as NNPC Chief promises progress

Nigerians now demand clearer communication, not just from PETROAN, but also from the government and NNPC, to ensure accountability and public trust in the petroleum sector.

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Jubril Adewale Tinubu: The Global Ascent of An Energy Titan

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Wale TinubuUnarguably, Jubril Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, Oando Plc, is one of the few who command a great deal of reverence in Nigeria’s vast and ever-evolving energy landscape.

To keen watchers of developments in the nation’s energy sector, Tinubu’s pedigree transcends more than being the  head honcho of Oando; he is the rare alchemy of audacity and foresight.

Today, his name has become synonymous with resilience and brilliance; he is also a figure whose influence transcends sectors, borders, and generations.

Interestingly, his reputation built on entrepreneurial flair and ingenuity has always earned him  worthy mention among an elite class of business leaders whose legacies are not just written, but engraved.

However, unlike some others who view Africa’s economic horizon through a haze of uncertainty, Tinubu sees opportunity beckoning to him always.

With this perspective, one easily understands Oando’s rise from a modest downstream operator to one of Africa’s most formidable integrated energy companies.

Oando, under the exemplary leadership and management style of Tinubu, has expanded across exploration, production, power, and renewables.

At every given opportunity, Tinubu hammers on the need for Africa to harness its own vast resources to define its destiny.

Given his trademark philosophy to act, tarry or strike with precision, he has been able to navigate Oando through global market shifts, regulatory waves, and economic downturns without so much noise.

Perhaps,this is the secret to his dazzling recognition and honour since the break of the outgoing year 2025. In January, he bagged the Investor / Transaction of the Year 2024 at the New Telegraph Awards in  Lagos.

The recognition followed Oando’s landmark $783 million acquisition of Agip Oil Company, a transaction completed in August 2024 and hailed as one of the year’s most significant moves in Nigeria’s economy.

But that was only a precursor to several other accolades for Tinubu, as he was again honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Awards at the Africa Energy Week, AEW, 2025.

Like the compass with which Oando navigates the nation’s unpredictable energy terrain, Tinubu is perpetually in quest of the opportunity to position the company as both a continental powerhouse and a symbol of African ingenuity.

Again, evidence that Tinubu’s influence has become global came to the fore when Oando emerged as the preferred bidder for the Trinidad refinery.

Despite a dip in revenue, Oando posted a $145 million profit in the first nine months of its 2025 fiscal year—a testament to disciplined strategy and Tinubu’s steady hand at the helm.

Meanwhile, the most significant signal of Oando’s next chapter came recently with an announcement that underscores Tinubu’s instinct for the future: Oando is diversifying into mining, with a sharp focus on lithium and other minerals critical to the clean-energy transition.

The company has already assembled a strong team of seasoned geologists and launched exploration activities across Nigeria, including a major program in Kebbi State. By the end of 2025, Oando aims to complete its field evaluations and identify a prime location for pilot lithium production.

With the global demand for rechargeable batteries—driven by tech and electric vehicles—skyrocketing, Tinubu is positioning Oando at the heart of the next energy revolution.

It is not for fun that his admirers fondly describe him as the man who sees tomorrow. He is a strategist sculpted by foresight, a leader driven by conviction, and a relentless believer in Africa’s potential.

In an age craving visionaries, Tinubu stands out- he is clear -eyed, bold, and prepared for the future he already sees taking shape.

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Energia launches graduate trainee programme to develop young professionals

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 Energia Limited launches a graduate trainee programme to accelerate career growth of young Nigerian professionals in the energy sector.

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Nigeria launches $10bn petroleum licensing round to boost production

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Nigeria launches 2025 petroleum licensing round to attract $10bn investment and unlock up to two billion barrels of oil.

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