The NNPC Limited has denied claims that it is selling scrap materials from its refineries, warning members of the public to be wary of fraudsters circulating such information.
The clarification was made by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, April 24.
According to NNPC Limited, some individuals have been posing as its agents, falsely claiming they can arrange the sale of refinery scrap and equipment to unsuspecting buyers.
What NNPC Limited is saying
The company said it had observed the spread of false and misleading information alleging that it was disposing of scrap materials and components from its refineries to individuals and private firms.
- “The Company wishes to categorically state that this information is untrue. NNPC Limited has not issued any request for bids, tenders, expressions of interest, or approvals for the sale of scrap materials, refinery components, or any items from the warehouses or inventories of any of its refineries.”
NNPC Limited added that reports indicate that unauthorised individuals are impersonating the company to promote fake transactions involving refinery scrap and equipment in a bid to defraud the public.
- “The Company therefore advises the public, corporate organisations, and industry stakeholders to disregard any such claims or solicitations and to exercise caution in dealing with anyone making such representations.”
Get up to speed
In February, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bashir Ojulari, disclosed that the state-owned refineries had been shut down after internal assessments showed they were operating at monumental losses and eroding national value.
Nigeria’s refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna have long struggled with chronic underperformance despite repeated turnaround maintenance efforts and billions of naira in public spending.
Over the years, successive administrations prioritised financing and engineering, procurement and construction contracts, often without sufficient attention to long-term operations and maintenance.
Additionally, the poor state of the refineries, which cost about $1.5 billion for rehabilitation under former NNPC GCEO Mele Kyari, has made it difficult for the facilities to operate efficiently and meet expectations.
What you should know
Despite the refineries not being fully operational, NNPC Ltd., in June 2025, ruled out the sale of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, reaffirming its commitment to rehabilitation and continued ownership amid calls for privatisation.
In August, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria asked Ojulari to either fix the Port Harcourt refinery or resign, following prolonged delays in its rehabilitation after a scheduled 30-day repair extended beyond 80 days.
In October 2025, Nairametrics reported that NNPC Ltd. commenced a detailed technical and commercial review of its three major refineries to determine their operational and financial viability.
