There was no explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC). The national oil giant assured the public that its refinery in Warri is operating normally, despite reports suggesting otherwise.
The clarification came after a wave of alarm spread across social media platforms and news outlets, with many claiming that the Warri Refinery had suffered a catastrophic explosion. The NNPCL, in an official statement released late Friday, took immediate action to set the record straight.
Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, addressed the claims head-on, emphasizing that no explosion had occurred at any part of the refinery. According to Soneye, the refinery’s operations were deliberately scaled back on January 25, 2025, not due to any emergency, but as part of a planned and essential intervention to upgrade certain equipment.
“We want to reassure the public that reports of an explosion at the Warri Refinery are absolutely false,” Soneye said from NNPCL’s headquarters in Abuja. “There was no explosion, no blast, and no damage to any facilities. What occurred was a planned reduction in operations to facilitate crucial maintenance work on selected equipment.”
The maintenance, NNPCL explained, is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the continued production of high-quality petroleum products, including Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and kerosene. These efforts are aimed at keeping the refinery running smoothly and efficiently, and to prevent any unplanned downtime that could affect the supply of these vital products.
Soneye further clarified that the maintenance involved upgrading field instruments, a routine procedure necessary for maintaining safety and ensuring optimal performance. Despite this, he reassured stakeholders that operations at the refinery were not fully halted and that the refinery continued to meet its production targets. “Even with the maintenance work underway, we have maintained an average daily loading of eight trucks of AGO over the past 11 days,” Soneye confirmed.
The NNPCL spokesperson expressed gratitude to the public and stakeholders for their patience and understanding during the ongoing maintenance process. The company emphasized that it is fully committed to ensuring an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products to Nigerians, particularly during this critical time.
“We want to assure all our stakeholders, including the Nigerian public, that there are no shortages of petroleum products,” Soneye said. “Our stock levels are sufficient, and we continue to load trucks for distribution. This is a necessary step to improve the refinery’s overall performance, and we expect to resume full operations in the coming days.”
The confusion surrounding the Warri Refinery had been fueled by online rumors and a mix of inaccurate reports from some sections of the media. The NNPCL strongly discouraged the public from giving credence to such unverified claims, urging citizens to rely only on credible information sources.
“We must remind the public to disregard any false reports or speculations about the safety of the refinery,” Soneye said. “While we understand the concerns of the people, it is vital to trust the official communications from NNPCL and other reputable sources. We are confident in the ongoing improvements at Warri Refinery and other facilities across the country.”
NNPCL also emphasized that the maintenance work at Warri Refinery is part of its larger efforts to revitalize the country’s oil and gas infrastructure. The company has been focusing on rehabilitating key refineries, pipelines, and depots, an initiative that has been widely praised by industry stakeholders and government officials.
Just days earlier, NNPCL had received praise from political figures and stakeholders for its proactive measures to ensure the rehabilitation of refineries, especially the Warri and Port Harcourt facilities. Deji Adeyanju, a prominent Nigerian political analyst, commended the NNPCL for its ongoing efforts, describing them as crucial for securing Nigeria’s energy future.
“The NNPCL is on the right track with these rehabilitation efforts. They are investing in the country’s energy security, and this maintenance work is a step toward that goal,” Adeyanju remarked in a statement.
Despite the reassurances from NNPCL, some Nigerians have expressed their concerns over the state of the nation’s refineries. For years, the country has struggled with underperforming refineries, leading to long-standing issues such as fuel scarcity and the need to import refined petroleum products.
However, the government and NNPCL remain optimistic about the future of the country’s refining sector. The rehabilitation of facilities like Warri Refinery is expected to reduce reliance on imported fuel and enhance Nigeria’s ability to meet its energy needs domestically.
The Warri Refinery, one of Nigeria’s key oil processing facilities, is located in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. It has a refining capacity of about 125,000 barrels of oil per day and serves as a vital part of the nation’s energy infrastructure.
With the ongoing work at Warri Refinery and other facilities under NNPCL’s oversight, officials are hopeful that the country’s refining capacity will soon be restored to optimal levels. The maintenance work will enhance the refinery’s ability to produce high-quality products, reduce operational costs, and improve overall efficiency.
As the work progresses, NNPCL has urged Nigerians to remain patient and to trust that the company is doing everything necessary to ensure that the refinery continues to meet the nation’s energy needs.
“We appreciate the patience of the public and our partners as we carry out these necessary upgrades,” Soneye said. “We remain committed to providing Nigerians with safe, reliable, and affordable petroleum products.”
NNPCL also promised to continue its rehabilitation efforts at other refineries and facilities across the country, with the goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency in the near future.
