Stakeholder Berates NNPCL Chief Over Dangote Refinery Visit
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The recent visit by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, to the Dangote Refinery has sparked criticism within Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, with stakeholders questioning his leadership priorities amid ongoing challenges at government-owned refineries.
Mr. Ojulari, who was appointed on April 2, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is yet to conduct official visits to the state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna nearly a year into his tenure — a situation industry observers have described as troubling.
Governance Concerns Raised
Dr. Joseph Obele, an energy expert and lecturer at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, described the development as a significant governance concern.
“It is disturbing that almost a year into his tenure, the GCEO has not deemed it necessary to visit the Port Harcourt Refinery,” Obele said. “Public officials must first demonstrate visible commitment to reviving government-owned facilities before celebrating partnerships with private enterprises.”
He argued that touring a privately owned refinery while taxpayer-funded facilities struggle operationally sends the wrong signal to both investors and citizens.
“The Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries are national assets that have consumed enormous public resources for rehabilitation,” Obele stated. “Leadership must prioritize national assets before advancing private sector alliances.”
Shutdown Directive Questioned
Obele, who is also a member of the Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), further alleged that a directive to shut down the Port Harcourt Refinery was issued from the GCEO’s office on May 24, 2025, without a prior personal inspection visit.
“Such action raises critical questions about accountability and institutional responsibility,” he said. “You cannot manage what you have not physically assessed, especially when national energy security is at stake.”
He further claimed that some civil society groups are exploring legal options, including calls for Mr. Ojulari’s removal from office.
“In any nation where accountability is taken seriously, this conduct would warrant scrutiny,” Obele declared. “I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately relieve Mr. Bayo Ojulari of his position to restore public confidence and reaffirm commitment to protecting national assets.”
Call for Transparency
While acknowledging that collaboration with the Dangote Refinery may offer economic benefits, Obele insisted that it should not overshadow the urgent responsibility to rehabilitate and operationalise government-owned refineries.
He urged the NNPCL leadership to provide a comprehensive public update on the operational status of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries, prioritise direct inspection and engagement with government refinery projects, and reconsider any shutdown directives issued without transparent justification.
According to him, Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity remains central to fuel supply stability, foreign exchange conservation and long-term energy sovereignty.
“Public trust depends on measurable progress in domestic refining capacity and operational transparency,” Obele stressed. “Anything less risks eroding confidence in the management of our most strategic national assets.”
