Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has called for the immediate suspension of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) agreement involving the rehabilitation and management of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries in partnership with Chinese firms, describing the arrangement as risky and lacking sufficient transparency.

 Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has called for the immediate suspension of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) agreement involving the rehabilitation and management of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries in partnership with Chinese firms, describing the arrangement as risky and lacking sufficient transparency.

Atiku Raises Concerns Over Refinery Deal

In a strongly worded reaction, Atiku questioned the rationale behind handing critical national refinery assets to foreign firms, arguing that the deal raises serious concerns about technical competence, accountability, and long-term national interest. He warned that Nigeria risks repeating past mistakes if proper due diligence is not carried out before advancing such strategic partnerships.

The former Vice President also described the arrangement as a “dangerous gamble,” insisting that the country cannot afford another failed or poorly executed refinery rehabilitation project, especially given Nigeria’s long history of spending billions on turnaround maintenance with little to show in results.

Focus on Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries

The controversy centers around ongoing rehabilitation efforts at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries—two of Nigeria’s major state-owned refining assets that have been largely non-operational for years. The federal government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, has been pursuing partnerships with foreign technical firms, including Chinese companies, to restore functionality and reduce Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

However, critics like Atiku argue that such deals must be subjected to stricter scrutiny, especially regarding cost structure, project timelines, ownership terms, and the actual technical capacity of the partners involved.

Questions Over Transparency and Competence

Atiku’s intervention adds to growing public debate over the transparency of Nigeria’s refinery rehabilitation strategy. Observers have repeatedly raised concerns about the recurring cycle of maintenance contracts, rising project costs, and delays in delivering functional refineries despite decades of investment.

He stressed that Nigeria must prioritize national interest and ensure that any foreign partnership is not only financially sound but also technically reliable and transparent in execution.

Broader Implications for Energy Policy

The call for suspension also touches on wider concerns about Nigeria’s energy security and refinery independence. With fuel subsidy removal and ongoing reforms in the downstream petroleum sector, the success or failure of refinery rehabilitation projects is seen as critical to stabilizing fuel supply and prices in the country.

Stakeholders are now urging the government to clarify the structure of the deal, publish full contractual terms, and reassure Nigerians that the rehabilitation process will not become another costly and unproductive venture.

As debates continue, Atiku’s demand adds political weight to an already sensitive national issue. The outcome of the refinery rehabilitation strategy—particularly the involvement of foreign firms—will likely remain under intense public scrutiny in the coming months, as Nigerians await tangible progress on restoring domestic refining capacity.