ABUJA, Nigeria — NNPC Limited has denied claims that it is selling scrap materials from its refineries, warning members of the public about fraudsters posing as its agents to defraud unsuspecting buyers, according to a statement issued on Friday, April 24, 2026.
Okay News reports that Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited, said the company had observed the spread of false and misleading information alleging it was disposing of scrap materials and components from its refineries.
“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,” Odeh said.
The company advised the public, corporate organisations, and industry stakeholders to disregard any such claims and exercise caution when dealing with anyone making such representations.
In February 2026, Bashir Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, 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. The facilities cost approximately $1.5 billion for rehabilitation under former NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari.
Despite the refineries not being fully operational, NNPC Limited in June 2025 ruled out the sale of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, reaffirming its commitment to rehabilitation. In August 2025, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria asked Ojulari to either fix the Port Harcourt refinery or resign, following prolonged delays.
In October 2025, NNPC Limited commenced a detailed technical and commercial review of its three major refineries to determine their operational and financial viability.
