Edward Abakpa, a public‑affairs analyst and civil‑society advocate, called on the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, to resign following the state‑owned firm’s latest memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies to restart the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
Abakpa made the demand in a statement released on Tuesday, saying the fresh agreement adds to a pattern of opaque spending on refinery rehabilitation. He said Nigerians have a right to a full accounting of the more than $3.5 billion already expended on past refurbishment projects, an audit that, he argues, has never been completed.
The MoU, signed between NNPCL and the Chinese firms, is intended to bring the two downstream facilities back to commercial operation. While NNPCL officials have asserted that no public funds will be used to fund the new partnership, critics say the lack of a transparent audit of earlier investments leaves the public unsure whether the additional deal is prudent.
Former vice‑president Atiku Abubakar and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association have previously urged the suspension of the arrangement, describing it as another “jamboree” that could waste state resources. Their concerns echo a broader scepticism among experts who note that, despite several phases of rehabilitation, the refineries have remained largely non‑functional and have not delivered the expected output.
In his statement, Abakpa emphasized that accountability must precede any new collaboration. “Before entering into fresh arrangements, Nigerians deserve a detailed explanation of how the over $3.5 billion previously committed to refinery rehabilitation was utilized, what work was actually completed, and why the refineries remain largely non‑functional,” he wrote. He added that without such clarification, any future partnership will be viewed with suspicion.
The controversy highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s downstream sector, where repeated investments have yet to translate into reliable domestic fuel supplies. Observers note that the effectiveness of the upcoming Chinese‑led revival effort will depend heavily on the transparency of previous expenditures and the government’s willingness to address lingering accountability gaps.
The next steps are likely to involve parliamentary oversight committees and advocacy groups pressing for a comprehensive audit of past refinery spending. The outcome could shape not only the fate of the current MoU but also broader policy direction for Nigeria’s oil‑processing industry.
