Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has reopened one of the country’s longest-running national scandals: the mystery of billions sunk into “reviving” dead refineries that never breathed again.
In a motion that rippled through the Green Chamber on Thursday, Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan called attention to what he described as an “unforgivable cycle of waste and deceit” over $18 billion allegedly spent on rehabilitating the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries between 2010 and 2024, with virtually nothing to show.
For over a decade, these refineries have been treated like sacred relics of Nigeria’s oil age visited by committees, funded by budgets, but producing not a drop. Yet, each administration has promised their resurrection, often accompanied by billion-dollar turnaround maintenance contracts and elaborate press statements.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“With the Dangote Refinery now operational, it has become even more critical to question why public refineries remained dormant despite decades of funding and promises of revival. Nigerians deserve clear answers and responsible stewardship of national assets,” Whingan said on the floor of the House.
The lawmaker’s motion has triggered what could become one of the most consequential probes in Nigeria’s energy history. A Joint Committee drawn from the Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream), Public Accounts, Anti-Corruption, and Finance Committees has been tasked to trace every dollar spent on the refineries from 2010 to 2024, and to determine who signed what and where the oil money went.
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At independence, Nigeria’s refineries symbolised industrial self-reliance. But decades later, they have become monuments of dysfunction consuming public funds but producing no fuel.
Despite repeated government assurances the latest being the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) pledge that the Port Harcourt Refinery would resume partial operations by end of 2024 not a single barrel of refined product has emerged from any of them.
In 2021, the Buhari administration approved $1.5 billion for Port Harcourt’s rehabilitation. Earlier efforts under Jonathan and Obasanjo administrations had also gulped billions. Whingan’s motion now seeks to draw a line under what many analysts have described as Nigeria’s most expensive industrial illusion.
Dangote’s Shadow and the Public’s Anger
The launch of the Dangote Refinery a privately owned 650,000-barrel-per-day complex has sharpened public outrage over the failure of government-run plants.
Both Aliko Dangote and former President Olusegun Obasanjo have, in recent weeks, condemned the culture of endless spending on turnaround maintenance without accountability. Obasanjo described the practice as “a scam sustained by insiders.”
Accountability or Another Inquiry on Paper?
Whingan’s motion is not the first attempt at a probe but Nigerians are watching to see if this one will go beyond rhetoric. Previous investigations have often died quietly, their findings buried under bureaucracy or politics.
The difference this time may lie in timing: Nigeria is facing mounting debt and a credibility crisis in its energy policy. The House’s decision comes amid widespread frustration over the paradox of an oil-rich nation importing nearly all its refined products.
“This investigation is not about politics,” Whingan said. “It’s about truth, accountability, and the future of our energy sector.”
For many Nigerians, the question is no longer whether the refineries can work but whether the system built around them is designed to fail on purpose.
As the Joint Committee begins its work, the outcome may finally reveal what billions of dollars in “rehabilitation” really bought refineries, or just another illusion of reform.
Amanze Chinonye is a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria. With a unique voice that blends tradition with modernity, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday Nigerian life, from the bustling markets of Lagos to the quiet villages of the countryside. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
