The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese firms to facilitate the restart, operation, and expansion of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
The agreement was reached with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd as part of a broader plan to establish a Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) for the facilities.
Under the arrangement, the Chinese partners are expected to support the completion of ongoing rehabilitation works while also participating in the operation and maintenance of both refineries to ensure sustainable and efficient performance.
The deal, signed in Jiaxing City, China, on April 30, 2026, is also designed to explore expansion opportunities, including upgrades to meet cleaner fuel standards and increased petrochemical production capacity.
NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the agreement as a major milestone following months of negotiations, noting that it would unlock long-term value and sustainability for Nigeria’s refining assets.
The partnership is further expected to drive the development of gas-based industrial hubs around the refinery complexes, signaling a shift toward integrated energy and industrial operations.
The move comes after years of underperformance and costly rehabilitation efforts in Nigeria’s refining sector, with the government now seeking technical partners to ensure efficiency and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.
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