The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two Chinese firms as part of efforts to complete and manage the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
The agreement was signed on April 30, 2026, in Jiaxing City, China, according to a statement issued by NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh.
The MoU was executed by NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, alongside Guan Jianzhong, Chairman of Sanjiang Chemical Company, and Bill Bi, Chairman of Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd.
Under the proposed partnership, the Chinese companies are expected to assist in completing the remaining rehabilitation work at both refineries while also participating in their operation and maintenance to ensure long-term efficiency and sustainability.
The arrangement will additionally focus on expanding and upgrading the facilities to produce cleaner fuel, improve profitability, increase petrochemical production capacity, and encourage the development of gas-based industrial hubs around the refineries.
Ojulari described the agreement as an important breakthrough achieved after several months of discussions, noting that all parties involved see strong opportunities in the long-term development of Nigeria’s refining assets.
He explained that the MoU is intended to pave the way for securing technical partners capable of supporting the rehabilitation and future expansion of the country’s refineries, while also creating opportunities in petrochemical and gas-related industries.
However, the NNPC boss clarified that the agreement remains non-binding and will still require regulatory approvals and additional negotiations before full implementation.
The rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery was approved in 2021 with an estimated cost of $1.5 billion, while the Warri refinery rehabilitation project is valued at approximately $897 million.
Both refinery projects are part of NNPC’s wider plan to strengthen local refining capacity and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
The Port Harcourt refinery had briefly resumed operations in late 2024 after years of inactivity before facing another shutdown linked to operational and financial difficulties.
