NNPC Shuts Down Port Harcourt Refinery

Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced the temporary shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, commencing Saturday, May 24, 2025. According to a press statement signed by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi O. Soneye, the shutdown is part of a scheduled maintenance and sustainability assessment aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring safe operations at the facility.

This move marks a significant development in Nigeria’s efforts to revitalize its downstream oil sector. As the country’s oldest state-owned refinery, the Port Harcourt Refinery has long been symbolic of Nigeria’s aspirations for energy self-sufficiency, though it has also been dogged by decades of inefficiencies and underproduction. The announcement, while procedural, has triggered fresh conversations about transparency, energy stability, and public trust in the country’s petroleum governance framework.

In a carefully worded statement, Soneye emphasized that the scheduled maintenance is not a signal of operational failure but a proactive strategy aligned with international best practices.

“NNPC Ltd wishes to inform the general public that the Port Harcourt Refining Company will undergo a planned maintenance shutdown. This scheduled maintenance and sustainability assessment will commence on May 24, 2025,” the statement read.

The company affirmed that it is collaborating closely with regulatory bodies, particularly the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to ensure that all aspects of the maintenance exercise are conducted with transparency, accountability, and due diligence.

Soneye added, “We are working closely with all relevant stakeholders… to ensure the maintenance and assessment activities are carried out efficiently and transparently. NNPC Ltd remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering sustainable energy security for Nigeria.”

This maintenance operation, according to NNPC, is expected to last approximately one month. The company has reassured citizens and businesses that sufficient stockpiles of refined products—such as diesel (AGO), kerosene, and other fuels—are available to cushion any supply disruptions that may occur during the shutdown.

Despite the technical reassurances from the company, the announcement has been met with skepticism in Eleme, the Rivers State community that hosts the refinery. Indigenous fuel retailers and local pressure groups have expressed concerns, alleging that the shutdown may be a cover for internal sabotage or a ploy to create artificial scarcity in the fuel market.

Local sources report rising tensions in Eleme, where small-scale fuel retailers have historically relied on the refinery’s operations for their livelihoods. These concerns are not unfounded in a country where past maintenance operations have often resulted in prolonged downtimes and opacity.

In response, Soneye firmly dismissed allegations of sabotage as unfounded. “Please be informed that the refinery remains fully operational. However, we are preparing to undertake a scheduled critical safety maintenance exercise aimed at ensuring the continued safe and sustainable operation of the facility,” he stated.

He reiterated the company’s commitment to carrying out the operation with the highest standards of safety and international compliance.

The move comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s energy sector. While the government continues to promote the rehabilitation of domestic refining capacity as a pathway toward reducing reliance on imported petroleum products, public confidence remains fragile. Years of broken promises, under-delivered projects, and fluctuating fuel availability have created a climate of mistrust.

Still, NNPC Ltd is positioning this latest move as part of a broader push toward operational excellence and sustainable energy security. The company has pledged to keep the public informed of the maintenance progress through official channels, including its website and social media platforms.

Whether the shutdown results in a more robust and reliable refining operation—or becomes another cautionary tale in Nigeria’s petroleum narrative—remains to be seen.