NNPC Strikes China Refinery Deal to Revive Port Harcourt and Warri Plants in Major Oil Sector Push

Nigeria’s push to revive its long-dormant refining capacity has taken a major step forward as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) signs a strategic agreement with Chinese firms to complete and operate two key refineries.

The deal targets the long-delayed Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, both central to Nigeria’s effort to cut fuel imports and stabilise domestic supply.

Under the agreement, NNPC Ltd will work with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd to deliver what officials describe as a Technical Equity Partnership framework.

The signing took place in Jiaxing City, China, with Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Ojulari, describing the arrangement as a turning point in the country’s refining roadmap.

He said the partnership is designed to complete outstanding rehabilitation work at both refineries while also ensuring long-term operational efficiency and sustainability.

Beyond repairs, the agreement also sets the stage for a broader industrial strategy, including expansion of petrochemical capacity and development of gas-based industrial hubs linked to the refinery complexes.

According to Ojulari, the collaboration followed over six months of technical discussions between NNPC and the Chinese partners, signalling what he called “mutually beneficial opportunities” for Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.

The plan also includes upgrading output standards to cleaner and more commercially viable products, a move aimed at aligning Nigeria’s refining capacity with global efficiency benchmarks.

Officials say the MoU is not a final investment contract but a framework for deeper negotiations. Any binding agreements will depend on regulatory approvals and further technical validation.

For Nigeria, the stakes are high. The Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have undergone years of rehabilitation delays, forcing the country to rely heavily on imported petroleum products despite being a major crude oil producer.

If successfully implemented, the partnership could mark one of the most significant shifts in Nigeria’s downstream oil industry in decades—potentially easing fuel import pressure and reshaping the country’s energy supply chain.