NNPC signs China MoU to restart, expand Port Harcourt, Warri refineries

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has signed a fresh agreement with two Chinese firms in a move aimed at accelerating the long-delayed rehabilitation and commercial restart of Nigeria’s refineries, while opening a new window for technical equity partnerships. The deal, structured as a Memorandum of Understanding, was signed with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, marking what the national oil company described as a “critical milestone” in its refinery transformation drive. The agreement was executed in Jiaxing City, China, on April 30, 2026, by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, alongside the Chairman of Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong, and Chairman of Xingcheng Industrial Park, Bill Bi. According to a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, the MoU sets the stage for a potential Technical Equity Partnership aimed at completing outstanding work at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, as well as ensuring their long-term operational efficiency. The statement read, “The NNPC Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, for collaboration through a potential Technical Equity Partnership in support of the completion and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries.” The national oil firm said the collaboration would go beyond rehabilitation, extending into full-scale operation and maintenance of the facilities to achieve “best-in-class, sustainable performance.” It added that the arrangement would also explore expansion projects that would reposition the refineries to produce cleaner fuels and higher-value petroleum products, in line with evolving global standards. Ojulari, speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, described the agreement as the outcome of more than six months of intensive technical and commercial engagements between NNPC and the Chinese firms. He said, “All parties recognise mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainable profitability of NNPC’s refining assets in Nigeria, and the collective weight required for success.” The NNPC boss stressed that the MoU represents a transition from traditional contractor-led rehabilitation to a more performance-driven partnership model anchored on shared risks and returns. He added, “This is an important step on the journey towards identifying potential technical equity partner or partners to restart and expand NNPC’s refineries, and to explore opportunities in co-located petrochemicals and gas-based industries.” The shift to a technical equity model signals a strategic departure from past refinery turnaround maintenance programmes, many of which failed to deliver lasting results despite significant financial outlays. Under the proposed framework, the Chinese partners are expected to bring not just engineering expertise, but also operational discipline and investment capacity, aligning their returns with the performance of the refineries.The scope of the collaboration, as outlined by NNPC, includes the development of co-located gas-based industrial hubs, which could transform the Port Harcourt and Warri complexes into integrated energy and petrochemical centres. Such hubs are expected to unlock additional value from Nigeria’s vast gas reserves, while supporting domestic manufacturing and export-oriented industries. The company noted that while the MoU reflects a shared intention to advance discussions in good faith, any binding agreements would be subject to regulatory approvals and the conclusion of detailed commercial negotiations. The latest deal aligns with Ojulari’s earlier position at the Nigeria International Energy Summit 2026, where he openly canvassed for global technical partners to take equity positions in Nigeria’s refining assets. At the summit, Ojulari had argued that Nigeria’s refining challenges were not just financial, but deeply technical and operational, requiring experienced partners with proven track records. He said, “What we are doing differently is moving away from just funding projects to bringing in partners who have skin in the game, partners who will operate, optimise, and guarantee performance.” He further explained that the technical equity model would ensure accountability and efficiency, as partners would only profit when the refineries perform optimally. He stated, “The days of spending billions on rehabilitation without sustainable output are behind us. We are now focused on partnerships that deliver value, technology transfer, and operational excellence.” Ojulari also highlighted the importance of integrating refining with petrochemicals and gas-based industries, noting that modern refineries globally are designed as energy hubs rather than standalone fuel-processing plants. “Refineries must evolve into integrated industrial platforms. That is where the future lies, petrochemicals, fertilizers, gas monetisation. That is how you create real economic value,” he said. Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, have suffered decades of underperformance, frequent shutdowns, and failed rehabilitation efforts, forcing the country to rely heavily on imported petroleum products. Despite multiple turnaround maintenance projects, the facilities have consistently operated far below capacity, raising concerns over efficiency, transparency, and value for money. The current administration has prioritised refinery revival as part of its broader energy security strategy, while also supporting private sector investments such as the Dangote Refinery. The NNPC’s renewed push for technical equity partners comes amid growing pressure to reduce fuel import dependence, stabilise domestic supply, and conserve foreign exchange. With this latest China deal, the national oil company appears to be betting on a new partnership model, one that ties investment returns directly to performance, in a bid to finally unlock the long-elusive potential of Nigeria’s refining sector.