NNPC Denies Sale of Refinery Scrap, Warns of Fraudulent Impersonators

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has issued a strong rebuttal against claims that it is auctioning off scrap materials and equipment from its refineries. In a statement released on Friday, April 24, 2026, the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, urged the public and industry stakeholders to remain vigilant against sophisticated fraudsters.

The warning comes as unauthorized individuals have reportedly been posing as official NNPC agents, falsely claiming to have the authority to broker the sale of refinery components and inventory to private firms and unsuspecting individuals.

Official Clarification from NNPC Ltd.

The national oil firm has categorically stated that no such disposal exercise is currently underway. Key points from the official statement include:

• No Official Bidding: NNPC Limited has not issued any requests for bids, tenders, or expressions of interest (EOI) for the sale of scrap materials or warehouse inventory.

• Unauthorized Representations: The company has identified a trend of fraudsters using its name to promote fake transactions, often demanding upfront payments or “processing fees.”

• Public Advisory: Corporate organizations and individuals are advised to disregard any solicitations regarding refinery scrap and to verify any such claims through official NNPC communication channels.

The State of Nigeria’s Refineries: Context and Challenges

The “scrap sale” rumors emerged against the backdrop of a significant shift in Nigeria’s refining strategy. In February 2026, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bashir Ojulari, announced that the state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna had been shut down following internal assessments.

The assessments revealed that the facilities were:

• Operating at Monumental Losses: The refineries were actively eroding national value rather than contributing to it.

• Struggling with Legacy Issues: Despite a $1.5 billion rehabilitation project initiated under former GCEO Mele Kyari, chronic underperformance persists.

• Lacking Maintenance Depth: Analysts point out that for decades, the focus was on EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contracts rather than long-term, sustainable operations and maintenance (O&M).

Rehabilitation vs. Privatization

Despite the current shutdown, the federal government has remained firm on its ownership stance. In June 2025, NNPC Ltd. explicitly ruled out the sale of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, despite growing calls from stakeholders for full privatization.

However, the pressure to deliver results is mounting. In late 2025:

• IPMAN Ultimatum: The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) called for GCEO Ojulari’s resignation after a scheduled 30-day repair at the Port Harcourt plant exceeded 80 days without a restart.

• Viability Reviews: By October 2025, NNPC began a comprehensive technical and commercial review to determine the ultimate financial viability of the three major plants.

Protecting Your Interests

The NNPC’s warning serves as a reminder that large-scale asset disposals by government entities always follow a strict, publicly advertised legal process. Any “private deal” or “backdoor access” to refinery scrap is almost certainly a scam designed to exploit the current transition period in Nigeria’s energy sector.