Breaking

JUST IN: NNPC Signs MoU With Chinese Firms To Restart, Expand Warri, Port Harcourt Refineries

The NNPC Ltd has said that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two Chinese companies, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, to restart the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries. In a statement signed by NNPC Ltd. Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy……

The NNPC Ltd has said that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two Chinese companies, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, to restart the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries.

In a statement signed by NNPC Ltd. Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, on Monday, the company said that the deal is for a collaboration through a potential Technical Equity Partnership in support of the completion and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries.

According to the statement, the MoU was signed by the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari; Chairman, Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong and Chairman of Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, Bill Bi, in Jiaxing City, China, on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

The potential framework would cover completion of outstanding work at the two refineries, together with operating and maintaining both facilities to achieve best-in-class, sustainable performance. Planned expansion and upgrades would elevate both facilities to cleaner, more profitable product standards.

The potential collaboration also contemplates expanding the refineries’ petrochemical capacities and harnessing gas and downstream opportunities through the development of co-located, gas-based industrial hubs.

READ MORE: Canada Targets 20,000 Foreign Workers for Permanent Residence in 2026

Speaking shortly after signing the dotted lines, Ojulari described the MoU execution as a significant milestone, following more than six months of concerted engagement between the technical and management teams of NNPC and the two Chinese partners.

“All parties recognise mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainable profitability of NNPC’s refining assets in Nigeria, and the collective weight required for success,” Ojulari noted.

The GCEO further stated that the MoU is a significant step on the journey towards identifying potential technical equity partner(s) to restart and expand NNPC’s refineries, and to explore opportunities in co-located petrochemicals and gas-based industries.

The MoU reflects the parties’ shared intent to progress discussions in good faith, with any definitive arrangements to follow in due course and subject to customary approvals.