NUPENG backs FG, NNPC deal with Chinese firms to revive refineries
Bimbola Oyesola
The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has commended the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) over a fresh agreement with Chinese firms to revive the nation’s struggling refineries in Warri and Port Harcourt.
The union described the move as a major breakthrough capable of transforming Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and reducing the country’s heavy reliance on imported petroleum products despite being one of Africa’s leading crude oil producers.
Speaking on the development, NUPENG President, Otunba Salmon Oladiti, said the agreement could help address decades of challenges that have crippled local refining operations and worsened economic hardship across the country.
According to him, the persistent collapse and underperformance of Nigeria’s refineries have contributed significantly to rising fuel prices, mounting pressure on foreign exchange, inflation, and unemployment.
“The failure of the nation’s refining sector has continued to place unbearable pressure on ordinary Nigerians,” Oladiti said. “Workers and citizens have suffered unstable fuel supply, high transportation costs and difficult living conditions because Nigeria has not achieved sustainable local refining.”
He noted that the latest partnership with the Chinese firms presents an opportunity for the country to reposition its petroleum industry and restore confidence in the nation’s refining capacity.
Oladiti added that successful rehabilitation of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries could create thousands of jobs, stimulate industrial growth, strengthen national energy security and reduce the economic burden associated with fuel importation.
He, however, warned against repeating past mistakes where huge public funds were spent on refinery rehabilitation projects without delivering meaningful results.
“Nigerians are tired of endless refinery rehabilitation promises that consume billions of naira without tangible outcomes,” he said. “This agreement must be driven by transparency, accountability, professionalism and timely execution.”
The labour leader stressed that the refinery revival project must not end as another political announcement but should produce visible economic benefits for citizens already struggling with harsh economic realities.
The NUPENG boss said Nigerians expect the project to translate into lower fuel costs, improved supply stability and broader economic relief.
He urged all parties involved in the partnership to remain focused on delivering results that would directly impact the lives of citizens and strengthen the country’s economy.
Oladiti also called on the Federal Government and NNPC Ltd. to sustain policies and strategic partnerships that prioritise national development and economic stability.
He maintained that restoring functional refineries remains critical to Nigeria’s long-term energy independence and industrial growth.
Industry stakeholders have repeatedly argued that improving local refining capacity would help conserve foreign exchange, reduce import dependence and boost investor confidence in the downstream petroleum sector.
