By Charles Pemu 
In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s energy and anti-corruption landscapes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a sweeping investigation into a multi-billion-dollar scandal involving the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s three moribund refineries. The total sum under scrutiny? A staggering $2.96 billion.
At the center of the storm are recently sacked managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries—state-owned facilities that have long been heralded as keystones of Nigeria’s petroleum independence but have become synonymous with dysfunction and financial hemorrhage.
Money Meant for Maintenance—Vanished
Investigations reveal jaw-dropping figures:
- $1.56 billion earmarked for the Port Harcourt refinery,
- $740.6 million for the Kaduna refinery,
- $656.9 million directed to Warri.
Yet, despite the monumental investment, these facilities remain shadows of their promised potential.
The EFCC has already apprehended several high-ranking officials, including the ex-MDs of the refineries. Among the most damning discoveries is the finding of ₦80 billion (approximately $60 million) stashed across various bank accounts linked to one of the sacked managing directors. According to insiders, this could rival or even surpass the infamous “Emefielegate” scandal in terms of scale and impact.
The Port Harcourt and Warri refineries were triumphantly declared “operational” in November and December 2024, respectively. But within weeks, the truth unraveled. Warri shut down again by January 2025, citing safety faults in its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) Main Heater. Port Harcourt has sputtered below 40% production capacity ever since its much-publicized recommissioning.
Even more damning is the Kaduna refinery’s situation: industry experts reveal it lacks functional pipelines to receive crude oil, rendering any notion of refurbishment a grossly expensive farce.
Deception, Distrust, and a Nation Misled
Industry watchdogs and petroleum experts are calling foul on what they describe as an orchestrated charade. According to energy expert Kelvin Emmanuel, the entire refineries’ relaunch was “a televised scam,” with no real intention—or capacity—for full operations. He asserted that the $2.96 billion could have built a new, modern refinery from scratch.
Moreover, an NMDPRA document recently surfaced, contradicting the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)’s glowing reports. The document confirmed that Warri had not produced a single litre of petrol and that both facilities were operating well below claimed capacities.
Despite this, NNPCL’s spokesperson Olufemi Soneye has remained silent in the face of mounting evidence and pressure.
The probe has now expanded to include former NNPCL Group CEO Mele Kyari and 13 other top-ranking executives. An EFCC document dated April 28, 2025, lists them as “featured parties” in a case of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.
The anti-graft commission has formally requested detailed records of emoluments and allowances, even for retired officials. The list includes names like Abubakar Yar’Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, and Umar Ajiya, among others.
Adding to the turmoil, plant support staff at the Warri refinery are threatening an indefinite strike starting May 5, citing poor working conditions, casualisation, and unmet promises of better pay. Their grievances date back to 2015 and had been temporarily shelved with the hope that a revived refinery would mean better wages. That hope is now fading fast.
Meanwhile, independent marketers and depot operators are left scrambling for products, forced to rely on private depots in Lagos at inflated prices. “We have received nothing from the Warri refinery since January,” said Harry Okenini, Delta State Chairman of IPMAN.
According to industry veteran Dan Kunle, the government’s decision to bypass the original Japanese builders of the refineries—and instead award bloated contracts to less-qualified firms—was the first misstep in a long series of errors. “We’re throwing billions at a problem that can’t be fixed without the original blueprints,” he said, accusing the NNPCL of “media propaganda” to deceive the public.
What’s Next?
With public trust eroding, international observers watching, and billions unaccounted for, this scandal is rapidly becoming a litmus test for the Tinubu administration’s anti-corruption stance. If convictions fail to follow, Nigerians may see it as yet another chapter in the country’s long, painful history of oil sector fraud.
But for now, one thing is clear: Nigeria’s refinery dream remains exactly that—a dream.