The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into more than $18 billion reportedly spent on rehabilitating Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna over the past two decades, projects that have yet to deliver tangible results.
The decision followed a motion raised during Thursday’s plenary by Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, who expressed concern over the continued non-performance of the refineries despite repeated government assurances and substantial funding.
Whingan said the refineries have remained inactive despite numerous turnaround maintenance projects funded through successive administrations.
He referenced recent remarks by business magnate Aliko Dangote and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, both of whom questioned the viability of the state-owned facilities, describing the multi-billion-dollar rehabilitation efforts as wasteful and unproductive.
Whingan also recalled that in 2007, during President Obasanjo’s tenure, Dangote and other private investors had purchased the refineries, a decision later reversed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who opted for continued government control and rehabilitation.
That approach, he argued, has failed to produce meaningful outcomes.
The lawmaker further cited a recent statement by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, confirming that the refineries remain non-functional despite massive investments.
“The continued non-functionality of these refineries despite consistent budgetary allocations and rehabilitation contracts represents a gross misuse of public funds and a betrayal of public trust,” Whingan said.
He added that with the removal of fuel subsidies, it has become even more critical for Nigeria to have operational refineries to strengthen energy security and reduce economic hardship.
Following the debate, the House resolved to establish an ad hoc committee comprising members from the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream), Public Accounts, Anti-Corruption, Finance, and Legislative Compliance.
The committee will probe the funds allocated and spent on refinery rehabilitation between 2010 and 2024, assess the current status of the facilities, and identify any instances of mismanagement or corruption.
Lawmakers directed the committee to report back within four weeks with recommendations for further legislative action.