The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, has announced that the Kaduna refinery will soon commence operations.
Kyari shared this update on Monday while speaking in Delta State during the unveiling of the Warri refinery, which resumed operations earlier in the day.
According to Kyari, the Kaduna refinery is already set to begin operations, although the specific date remains undisclosed. He stated that the announcement of its opening would come as a surprise, much like the launches of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
“But more importantly, I must put on record that Mr. President’s faith in me that we must start all three refineries is already happening.
“We have successfully started the Port Harcourt refinery, the sixty-thousand-barrel refinery. We have started the area 1 refinery, the other plants that will produce PMS will also come by. Lastly, Kaduna is also on stream. We are not going to give you [a] date but will surprise you. Kaduna will start,” Kyari said.
Kyari’s comment on Warri Refinery
Speaking further, the GCEO of the national oil company confirmed that the Warri refinery plant can now produce diesel, kerosene, and naphtha.
He explained that the plant’s operations are divided into three stages, with the first stage already completed.
Kyari added that while the remaining two stages are still under development, once completed, Nigeria will achieve its goal of becoming a net exporter of petroleum products.
“This plant has three stages. We have started the plan one, which is the first plan. It is able to produce AGO, kerosene, naphtha and also a blend of crude oil. These are high-grade quality products that can be found in the country.
“They will also give cash. This company will make money and the promise of the president that this country will be a net exporter of petroleum product is already happening. Some of these products will go to the international market. And I would like to thank all of you,” Kyari added.
Nigeria to become net exporter of petroleum products
Nigeria, an oil-producing nation, has long struggled to refine its own petroleum products despite owning four refineries that were previously inoperable.
However, in 2024, significant progress was made as the Dangote Refinery began production.
Shortly after, the four-decade-old Port Harcourt refinery also resumed operations with a production capacity of 60,000 barrels per day.
Earlier, Energy in Africa reported that the Warri refinery has commenced production, making it the third Nigerian refinery to begin operations this year.
This development signals a turning point for the country. Nigeria is now poised to reduce its reliance on petroleum imports and establish itself as a net exporter of petroleum products, generating foreign exchange to stabilize the economy in the coming months.
