NNPC Limited has denied claims that it is selling scrap materials from its refineries, warning members of the public to be cautious of fraudsters spreading such information.
The clarification was issued on Friday in Abuja by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh.
According to the national oil company, certain individuals have been posing as its agents and falsely claiming they can arrange the sale of refinery scrap and equipment to potential buyers.
The company said it had noticed the circulation of misleading information suggesting 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,” the statement said.
NNPC Limited explained that reports indicated that unauthorised persons were impersonating the company to promote fake transactions involving refinery scrap and equipment in an attempt to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
It therefore urged individuals, corporate organisations, and stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to disregard such claims and exercise caution when dealing with anyone making such representations.
In February, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bashir Ojulari, disclosed that Nigeria’s state-owned refineries had been shut down following internal assessments which showed that they were operating at significant losses and eroding national value.
Nigeria’s major refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna have struggled for years with chronic underperformance despite repeated turnaround maintenance projects and substantial public spending.
Successive administrations have invested heavily in financing and engineering, procurement and construction contracts for the facilities, but experts have often criticised the lack of sustained attention to long-term operations and maintenance.
Despite the ongoing operational challenges, NNPC Ltd. in June 2025 ruled out the sale of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, reaffirming its commitment to rehabilitating the facility and retaining ownership amid calls for privatisation.
In August 2025, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria urged Ojulari to either fix the Port Harcourt refinery or step down from his position, citing prolonged delays in its rehabilitation programme.
The refinery was initially scheduled for a 30-day repair but the work extended beyond 80 days, raising concerns among industry stakeholders.
Later in October 2025, NNPC Limited commenced a detailed technical and commercial review of its three major refineries to assess their operational efficiency and financial viability.
The company said the review was aimed at determining the future direction of the facilities as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
