ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to focus on reviving Nigeria’s government-owned refineries instead of seeking to increase its stake in the Dangote Refinery.
The call followed reports that the Dangote Group rejected attempts by the NNPC to increase its existing 7.25 percent stake in the multibillion-dollar refinery project.
IPMAN officials criticized the move, arguing that public resources should be directed toward rehabilitating the country’s struggling state-owned refineries rather than expanding investment in a privately owned facility.
The association expressed concern over the prolonged poor condition of Nigeria’s refineries despite years of rehabilitation promises and large financial allocations.
According to industry stakeholders, the refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna have continued to operate below expectations or remain largely inactive despite repeated government assurances.
IPMAN leaders said reviving the nation’s refineries would significantly improve local fuel production capacity, reduce dependence on imports, and strengthen energy security.
They also argued that functioning public refineries could create jobs, stabilize fuel supply, and reduce pressure on foreign exchange used for petroleum imports.
The criticism comes at a time when the Dangote Refinery is increasingly dominating conversations about Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
The refinery, regarded as one of Africa’s largest industrial projects, has already begun reshaping expectations surrounding domestic fuel refining and supply.
Observers say the project could reduce Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on imported refined petroleum products once it reaches full operational capacity.
However, some stakeholders have continued to question why government-owned refineries remain underperforming despite decades of investment and rehabilitation efforts.
Analysts believe the latest comments from IPMAN reflect growing frustration among marketers and industry players over the condition of public refining infrastructure.
Energy experts say Nigeria’s inability to maintain efficient state-owned refineries has contributed to recurring fuel supply crises and rising energy costs.
The NNPC has repeatedly defended ongoing rehabilitation projects, insisting that efforts are underway to restore local refining capacity.
Meanwhile, the rejection of the proposed stake increase by Dangote Group has generated widespread reactions within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Business analysts say the development highlights the growing influence and independence of the Dangote Refinery within the national energy sector.
Critics argue that instead of expanding ownership interests in private refineries, the government should prioritize accountability, maintenance, and modernization of existing public facilities.
The debate has also reignited wider conversations about privatization, energy sector reforms, and the future structure of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Stakeholders believe effective local refining remains critical to reducing fuel import dependence and stabilizing the economy.
Attention now shifts to whether the Federal Government and NNPC will intensify efforts to revive the nation’s refineries amid mounting public pressure and changing dynamics in the downstream oil sector.
