President Tinubu Celebrates Restart of Warri Refinery, Hails NNPCL for Restoring National Pride
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his joy over the successful restart of operations at the Warri Refinery, which took place on Monday.
The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesperson, in a statement celebrating the long-awaited reopening of the state-owned refinery following years of rehabilitation.
According to reports, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, confirmed that the refinery has resumed operations, processing 125,000 barrels per day (bpd).
A Significant Achievement
President Tinubu described the reopening of the Warri Refinery as a momentous development in 2024, one that bolsters the hopes and confidence of Nigerians in his administration. He emphasized that with the refinery now operating at 60 percent capacity, his administration’s energy efficiency and security plans are progressing as intended.
“This will further strengthen the hope and confidence of Nigerians for a greater and better future than we promised. This development is a remarkable way to end the year following the earlier achievement with the Port Harcourt Refinery,” President Tinubu said.
Focus on Key Products
The Warri Refinery will prioritize the production and storage of critical products, including straight-run kerosene (SRK), automotive gas oil (AGO), and both heavy and light naphtha.
Tinubu commended Mele Kyari and the NNPCL team for their hard work in restoring Nigeria’s position as a major oil-producing nation. He acknowledged their efforts as vital to the country’s national pride and growth in the energy sector.
Future Plans for Nigeria’s Refineries
In his statement, the president also urged the NNPCL to expedite repairs at the Kaduna Refinery and the second Port Harcourt Refinery, with a capacity of 150,000 bpd. These efforts are expected to solidify Nigeria’s status as a global energy provider.
The restart of the Warri Refinery follows the earlier revival of the Port Harcourt Refinery, which began processing 60,000 bpd on November 26, 2024, marking significant strides towards the revitalization of Nigeria’s refining capacity.
