Massive Corruption Uncovered in Port Harcourt, Warri, Kaduna Refineries’ Rehabilitation Funds
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a major corruption investigation into Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar refinery rehabilitation projects. Recent findings reveal that over $2.9 billion earmarked for the revamp of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries may have been mismanaged, with N80 billion shockingly discovered in the personal accounts of one sacked managing director.
Arrests and Probes Rock NNPCL Leadership
The EFCC has arrested the recently dismissed Managing Directors of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC). Among those detained are Ibrahim Onoja, former MD of PHRC, and Efifia Chu, ex-MD of WRPC.
In total, $1.55 billion was allocated to PHRC, $740 million to KRPC, and $656 million to WRPC, all under scrutiny. The EFCC probe also includes former NNPCL Group CEO, Mele Kyari, and 13 other top executives suspected of abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and financial misappropriation.
Refineries Running Below Capacity or Shut Down
Despite high-profile commissioning events in late 2024, the refineries have failed to deliver. The Port Harcourt refinery is operating at less than 40% capacity, while the Warri refinery, which resumed in December 2024, shut down in January 2025 due to a critical safety fault in its Crude Distillation Unit Main Heater.
An internal NMDPRA report revealed that the Warri refinery, which cost over $897 million in repairs, has not produced a single litre of petrol, sparking public outrage and renewed calls for accountability.
EFCC Expands Probe, Targets Massive Oil Sector Fraud
A leaked EFCC document dated April 28, 2025, confirms that former GCEO Mele Kyari, along with other high-ranking officials like Umar Ajiya, Isiaka Abdulrazak, and Abubakar Yar’Adua, are under investigation. The anti-graft agency is demanding emolument records and financial disclosures from NNPCL.
Expert Reaction: “A National Scandal”
Energy experts have labeled the situation a national scandal, with accusations that the refinery rehabilitation projects were politically motivated charades. Industry analyst Kelvin Emmanuel criticized the government for misleading Nigerians, stating that the refineries were never technically ready for operation.
He added that pipelines essential for crude supply, like the Escravos-Warri pipeline, are no longer functional, making refinery operations impossible. He called the $2.96bn turnaround maintenance project a colossal waste of public funds.
Labour Strike Threatens Restart Plans
To compound the crisis, refinery support staff at the Warri plant are planning an indefinite strike starting May 5, citing poor wages, casualization, and broken promises since 2015. This action could derail NNPCL’s plan to restart critical units at the plant.
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Marketers, Stakeholders Demand Transparency
Members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) have expressed frustration over the non-availability of refined products. They are demanding a full-scale investigation and a revamp of how state-owned refineries are managed.
Conclusion: Billions Wasted, Nigerians Still Suffer
Despite nearly $3 billion spent, Nigerians have yet to see tangible results from the refinery rehabilitation promises. With arrests, ongoing EFCC investigations, and strike threats, the NNPCL refinery scandal is shaping up to be one of the biggest public sector fraud cases in Nigeria’s oil history.
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