By Saminu Ibrahim
(SINL NIGERIA) The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese firms as part of efforts to restart and expand the country’s key refining assets in Warri and Port Harcourt.
The agreement, signed in Jiaxing City, China, on April 30, 2026, involves Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd.
The partnership, in a statement on Monday by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Limited is expected to pave the way for a potential Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) aimed at completing, operating, and maintaining the refineries to global standards.
NNPC Ltd’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, signed on behalf of the company, while Guan Jianzhong and Bill Bi represented the Chinese firms.
According to the company, the proposed collaboration will focus on completing outstanding rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, alongside ensuring efficient operations and long-term sustainability.
The plan also includes upgrading the facilities to produce cleaner and more profitable petroleum products.
In addition, the agreement outlines prospects for expanding petrochemical production capacities and developing gas-based industrial hubs around the refineries, aimed at boosting downstream opportunities and overall value creation.
Speaking after the signing, Ojulari described the MoU as a major milestone, noting that it followed over six months of strategic engagements between NNPC and its prospective partners.
He said all parties had identified mutually beneficial opportunities to enhance the performance and profitability of Nigeria’s refining assets, stressing that the collaboration could significantly strengthen the sector.
Ojulari added that the agreement marks a crucial step toward securing technical equity partners to drive the revival and expansion of the refineries, while also exploring integrated petrochemical and gas development opportunities.
NNPC Ltd emphasized that the MoU represents a commitment by all parties to continue discussions in good faith, with final agreements subject to regulatory approvals.
SINL Nigeria Online reports that the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries are among Nigeria’s most strategic energy infrastructure, and their rehabilitation and expansion are expected to play a key role in reducing fuel imports and enhancing domestic refining capacity.
