The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese firms—Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd—for the restart, operation, and expansion of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
Executed in Jiaxing City, China, on April 30, 2026, the agreement aims to establish a Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) to complete ongoing rehabilitation works and ensure the long-term efficient operation of these vital national assets.
Under the terms of the arrangement, the Chinese partners will provide technical support to finalize outstanding rehabilitation work while participating in the day-to-day maintenance of the facilities to achieve sustainable performance levels.
Beyond immediate repairs, the partnership is set to explore significant upgrades to meet modern cleaner fuel standards, enhance profitability, and boost petrochemical production capacity.
This collaboration is also expected to catalyze the development of gas-based industrial hubs surrounding the refinery locations.
NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the deal as a major milestone that follows months of intensive negotiations. He emphasized that the MoU is a strategic step toward securing reliable technical partners capable of unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s refining sector.
By integrating petrochemical and gas-based industries, the NNPC hopes to create a more resilient energy infrastructure that can better serve the country’s growing industrial needs.
This initiative aligns with the broader strategy to reduce Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported petroleum products, a goal backed by previous investments including the $1.5 billion Port Harcourt project and the $897 million Warri rehabilitation contract.
While the Port Harcourt refinery saw a brief resumption of activities in late 2024 before facing operational setbacks, this new international partnership is intended to provide the technical and financial stability necessary to keep the pumps running and the domestic market supplied.
