Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria’s state-owned refineries may not function effectively again without major reforms.
He made the remarks while addressing ongoing concerns about the performance of refineries managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Obasanjo questioned the viability of repeated rehabilitation efforts. He said past investments have not delivered expected results.
Nigeria has spent billions of naira over the years attempting to revive its refineries. These facilities include those in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna.
Despite these efforts, the country continues to rely heavily on imported refined petroleum products.
Obasanjo argued that structural and management issues remain unresolved. He suggested that without fundamental changes, the refineries may continue to underperform.
His comments add to an ongoing national debate about energy security and local refining capacity.
The Federal Government has recently announced progress in refinery rehabilitation. However, independent verification of full operational capacity remains limited.
Industry analysts remain divided. Some support privatisation, while others advocate for improved governance and accountability.
The remarks are expected to generate renewed policy discussions within the energy