Fresh questions have emerged over the reported memorandum of understanding between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Chinese partners to revive Nigeria’s refineries.
Speaking on Arise TV during a global business segment with Rotus Oddiri, business analyst Chika Mbonu said the absence of full details from the agreement leaves critical questions unanswered.
“The first thing we need to know is who will operate the refineries. Are the Chinese coming in as operators or just advisers?” Mbonu said.
The deal is expected to focus on the rehabilitation of the Warri Refinery and the Port Harcourt Refinery, both of which have remained largely underperforming despite repeated government interventions.
Mbonu also cautioned against another failed attempt, asking whether Nigeria could once again fall short on refinery revival. He argued that the country’s refining challenge is not technical capacity but human management.
“The problem with our refineries is not engineering. It is the human factor,” he said.
He pointed to the Dangote Refinery as evidence that refining can work in Nigeria, noting that its success has shown Nigerians that local refineries can be efficient when properly managed.
