₦airaland Forum

Kanwulia:
Now he is talking non-stop! Failed father of Nigerian democracy!😆

Reloadedisraelp:
the man is a mess....just like any other past president... Reverse the deal because of pressure from ur own corrupt people.... It's only a mad man that will save the country

Pojomojo:
It’s understandable why former President Olusegun Obasanjo holds such a strong view about Nigeria’s refineries, given his past experience. But saying they will never work again may be too absolute—and perhaps overlooks what is still possible with the right approach.

First, the challenges he listed—poor maintenance, corruption, and outdated capacity—are real. Even Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has admitted the refineries are currently underperforming. However, those problems are not unique to Nigeria, and other countries have successfully revived aging refineries through proper reforms, transparent management, and credible technical partnerships.

Second, the global energy landscape has evolved since Obasanjo’s time in office. While major oil companies like Shell plc may prioritize upstream profits, there are now specialized refinery operators and engineering firms whose business is exactly this—turning around inefficient downstream assets. That’s precisely what NNPC is trying to tap into with its current search for technical partners.

Also, the success of the Nigeria LNG Limited project that Obasanjo referenced actually strengthens the case for reform rather than abandonment. It shows that with the right ownership structure, governance, and private-sector discipline, state-linked energy projects in Nigeria can work.

Then there’s the example of Aliko Dangote’s refinery. While it highlights how efficient private investment can be, it doesn’t necessarily mean public refineries are beyond saving—it simply raises the standard they must meet. Competing may be difficult, but not impossible, especially if the goal is to reduce import dependence and strengthen energy security.

In reality, the question isn’t whether the refineries can ever work again—it’s whether Nigeria is willing to implement the tough structural changes needed to make them work. That includes transparency, accountability, and possibly letting go of full government control.

So rather than writing them off completely, it may be more productive to see this moment as a test: can Nigeria finally fix what has long been broken, or will history repeat itself?

yinkus6750:
You tried and gave your best to the country.
Posterity will remember you.
Atiku that you put in charge of privatisation messed up so many of them.
Thank God for Dangote refinery, we would have been buying petrol at 4-5,000/ litre by now.
Corruption killed NNPC, spending money on it is like a drain pipe. Better to scrap them and give more licenses for private refineries.

yinkus6750:
You tried and gave your best to the country.
Posterity will remember you.
Atiku that you put in charge of privatisation messed up so many of them.
Thank God for Dangote refinery, we would have been buying petrol at 4-5,000/ litre by now.
Corruption killed NNPC, spending money on it is like a drain pipe. Better to scrap them and give more licenses for private refineries.

slickbak:
NNPC IS LIKE A DARK TUNNEL. THE MORE YOU SHINE YOUR LIGHT, THE DARKER IT BECOMES.

Safe to say we were defrauded of another $16B and no one is facing consequences.

Kanwulia:
Now he is talking non-stop! Failed father of Nigerian democracy!😆

duduade:
Nigeria is gone

Antoeni:
Only Peter obi can make it work once he becomes president 2027

Antoeni:
Now That Tinubu APC Government is Distributing Branded Pants to Married Women. What Are They Up to?

duduade:
Nigeria is gone

Antoeni:
Now That Tinubu APC Government is Distributing Branded Pants to Married Women. What Are They Up to?

adenigga:
Source: https://punchng.com/nnpc-refineries-will-never-work-again-obasanjo

Antoeni:
Now That Tinubu APC Government is Distributing Branded Pants to Married Women. What Are They Up to?

PigTormentor:
Posting lies and falsehoods will not get your Agulu cult leader near the gate of Aso Rock.

Pojomojo:
It’s understandable why former President Olusegun Obasanjo holds such a strong view about Nigeria’s refineries, given his past experience. But saying they will never work again may be too absolute—and perhaps overlooks what is still possible with the right approach.

First, the challenges he listed—poor maintenance, corruption, and outdated capacity—are real. Even Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has admitted the refineries are currently underperforming. However, those problems are not unique to Nigeria, and other countries have successfully revived aging refineries through proper reforms, transparent management, and credible technical partnerships.

Second, the global energy landscape has evolved since Obasanjo’s time in office. While major oil companies like Shell plc may prioritize upstream profits, there are now specialized refinery operators and engineering firms whose business is exactly this—turning around inefficient downstream assets. That’s precisely what NNPC is trying to tap into with its current search for technical partners.

Also, the success of the Nigeria LNG Limited project that Obasanjo referenced actually strengthens the case for reform rather than abandonment. It shows that with the right ownership structure, governance, and private-sector discipline, state-linked energy projects in Nigeria can work.

Then there’s the example of Aliko Dangote’s refinery. While it highlights how efficient private investment can be, it doesn’t necessarily mean public refineries are beyond saving—it simply raises the standard they must meet. Competing may be difficult, but not impossible, especially if the goal is to reduce import dependence and strengthen energy security.

In reality, the question isn’t whether the refineries can ever work again—it’s whether Nigeria is willing to implement the tough structural changes needed to make them work. That includes transparency, accountability, and possibly letting go of full government control.

So rather than writing them off completely, it may be more productive to see this moment as a test: can Nigeria finally fix what has long been broken, or will history repeat itself?

SmartPolician:
I remember when Obasanjo said this, useless data boys were all over the place insulting him even though they claim to have respect for elders. Wetin come happen last?

That's why an African adage says that what an elder sees sitting, data boys won't see it even if they climb Mt. Everest.

OneCandleAway:
But that picture isn't a lie. The women were dancing with red pant.

PigTormentor:
Go and verify, it's a lie and the original pictures were changed for propaganda purpose.
This is not the real picture. The face was su0er imposed by someone. They never gave out any panties to anyone.
Don't believe everything you see online.

AbosedeFalade:
On this "Thank God for Dangote refinery, we would have been buying petrol at 4-5,000/ litre by now." Please stop giving credit to who doesn't deserve it. Most of the countries in Africa and the world at large I have travelled to lately that do not have neither crude oil nor refineries, government-owned or private-owned, aren't paying more for petrol than in Nigeria.

iwaeda:
We said it they called us names and said we are from Agulu. It is funny people can't see beyond their backs.