Nigerians are facing persistent fuel price hikes and scarcity as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) delays the operation of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, contradicting earlier promises, as reported on June 2, 2025.
The NNPC had pledged that the Port Harcourt refinery would resume operations by March 2025, with Warri and Kaduna to follow, but none are functional. This failure has forced Nigeria to rely heavily on imported fuel, driving prices to ₦1,030-₦1,300 per litre, exacerbating economic hardship.
Energy analyst Dr. Chijioke Okeke criticized the NNPC’s lack of transparency, noting that $4 billion spent on refinery rehabilitation since 2021 has yielded no results. The reliance on imports, coupled with the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023, has left citizens grappling with inflation and transport costs.
Public frustration is mounting, with protests reported in Lagos and Abuja. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened a nationwide strike if the government and NNPC fail to address the crisis. The non-functional Dangote Refinery, despite its 650,000-barrel capacity, further complicates the supply chain.
The NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, has attributed delays to technical issues, promising resolution by July 2025. However, skepticism persists, as past deadlines have been missed. Calls for accountability and a clear timeline are growing amid fears of prolonged economic strain.
The crisis underscores Nigeria’s struggle to achieve energy self-sufficiency. With 70% of fuel needs met through imports, experts urge structural reforms in the oil sector. The government faces pressure to deliver on refinery promises to avert further unrest.
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