Business
PORT HARCOURT REFINERY AND THE TRUTH WE MUST KNOW* By Eguono King
*PORT HARCOURT REFINERY AND THE TRUTH WE MUST KNOW*
By Eguono King
The story of the Port Harcourt Refinery’s alleged operation is one that stands out as a significant lesson in the developing tale of Nigeria’s petroleum industry. It is replete with deceit, laced with ineptitude, and a violation of public confidence. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari, has once again demonstrated that he is better at publicity stunts than at executing true leadership. His recent statements regarding the refinery are not only false, but they also represent a larger systemic breakdown that jeopardizes the future of Nigeria’s oil industry.
It would take just a little digging to unpack the layers of deception surrounding the Port Harcourt Refinery. Kyari’s role in perpetuating this fraud is now very clear to President Tinubu to see him for what he truly is: an inherited problem from the Buhari administration who must be pruned from his administration and held accountable for the grave injustice done to Nigerians. The oil sector is too critical to Nigeria’s economy and national security to be left in the hands of unaccountable individuals.
It would be important to understand that the Port Harcourt Refinery has long served as a representation of Nigeria’s faltering oil sector. Once a ray of hope for the country’s ability to produce its own refined petroleum products, it has been enmeshed in political mismanagement, corruption, and operational inefficiency for decades. Nigerians are now dependent on imported petroleum products since the refinery has not lived up to expectations despite billions of dollars in alleged “rehabilitation” works.
In this context, many knowledgeable observers already viewed Kyari’s statement of the refinery’s purported functionality with skepticism. And rightly so: further investigation has shown that the refinery has not actually started refining Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as stated. Rather, the entire story seems to have been made up to score cheap political points and divert attention away from the NNPCL leadership’s persistent failure.
The scope of this fraud that NNPCL masterminded under Kyari’s direction is demonstrated by a two-phased reports.
Firstly, a quick observation of this charade highlights a stark similarity between the Port Harcourt Refinery and the doomed Nigeria Airways project. It can be recalled that the Nigerian Airways was a ponzi joke which lasted for a while, and was cunningly used to siphon public funds under the pretense of developing our aviation sector. These programs have come to reflect the level of incompetence and deceit going on in the government. The refinery’s touted functionality is nothing more than a flightless dream – an obvious mirage designed to manipulate and sway public perception.
Secondly, information from a whistleblowers within NNPCL have revealed the shocking reality: PMS is not being refined at all by the refinery. These insiders claim that NNPCL has resorted to blending imported products such as Naphtha and cracked petroleum resins, to provide the illusion of domestic refining. This deceitful behavior not only erodes public confidence but also calls into question the integrity of NNPCL’s leadership. The revelation that parts of the refinery capable of producing PMS are still non-functional further discredits Kyari’s claims. It is now evident that the trucking of petroleum products from the refinery was staged, with NNPCL relying on external purchases to mask the refinery’s continued dormancy.
There has been a pattern of mismanagement, dishonesty, and a blatant disregard for accountability during Mele Kyari’s time as NNPCL’s GCEO. A number of his acts have undermined trust in NNPCL, its capacity to fulfill its purpose, and his handling of the Port Harcourt Refinery issue is just the most recent. The tenure of Kyari’s leadership has seen the oil industry devolved into a theater of unfulfilled promises. From botched refinery restoration initiatives to dubious financial dealings, Kyari has continuously and consistently prioritized short-term optics above long-term fixes. His leadership style has been defined by a lack of transparency and a reluctance to confront the systemic problems that the oil and gas industry Is facing. The question of concern remains, Why is President Bola Tinubu still working with such burden in his administration?
The Port Harcourt Refinery debacle exemplifies Kyari’s modus operandi: using elaborate publicity stunts to mask underlying failures. By falsely claiming that the refinery is operational, Kyari has not only misled Nigerians but also jeopardized the credibility of NNPCL at a critical time when the nation is grappling with economic challenges and rising energy costs.
The damage Inflicted by Mele Kyari on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector extends beyond immediate financial and operational losses, it has deeply undermined public trust in the industry and government. For decades, Nigerians have been promised a robust and self-sufficient refining sector, yet time and again, these promises have been betrayed. The Port Harcourt Refinery fiasco symbolizes the culmination of years of mismanagement and deceit, and the public’s patience is wearing thin. His actions are a stark betrayal of confidence imposed in him by his employer, the president. Without he himself realizing it, he has created a subconscious, deep-seated longing for the sort of invidiously stratified, poor regime that’s being strengthened with every bad Policy and public stunts he has ever adopted for a cover-up.
Kyari must be held accountable for his acts if Nigeria’s petroleum industry is to regain public confidence. President Tinubu needs to take firm action to stop the corruption in NNPCL and acknowledge Kyari as a liability that was passed down from the Buhari administration. The Port Harcourt Refinery allegations and other contentious choices taken during Kyari’s leadership should first be the subject of an impartial investigation. Finding the entire scope of the deceit and identifying the syndicates he employed in deceiving the public should be the goals of this investigation.
Secondly, NNPCL’s operations and leadership need to be completely overhauled, because it’s obvious that with the level of corruption going on there, nothing good will come from such leadership. A new generation of leaders dedicated to transparency and commitment must be introduced, and the culture of impunity that Kyari has fostered must be destroyed.
Lastly, real refinery restoration initiatives that are led by professionals and devoid of political interference must be given top priority by the government. Only by establishing a viable, self-sufficient refining industry will Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products be lessened as a national security threat.
It is a fact that , “From error to error, one discovers the entire truth,” Sigmund Freud once said. In other words, errors in speech and in writing sometimes serve as lenses that help reveal an unconscious, suppressed, or subdued desire or internal thought. Nigerians have endured this multiple errors thrown at them, and now it’s time to embrace the truth. Kyari’s actions are intentional errors that were made to profit some few individuals at the expense of the livelihood of millions of individuals. Mr President error is in retaining a catastrophe like Kyari in his administration up till this present moment, and it will be a great disservice to the country if he doesn’t remove him from his position.
To tell Nigerians the truth, Mele Kyari’s tenure as GCEO of NNPCL has been a disaster for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and for the future of millions of Nigerians dependent on it. His deceptive claims about the Port Harcourt Refinery are a proven stark reminder of the dangers of entrusting critical national assets to individuals who lack the vision and integrity to manage them effectively. One of the biggest enablers of corruption and inefficiency in Nigeria’s oil sector is the culture of impunity that allows officials like Kyari to operate without fear of accountability. This must change. A strong message needs to be sent that no one, regardless of position or influence, is above the law.
The Port Harcourt Refinery controversy is more than just a scandal to be debated upon, it is a reflection of the systemic dysfunction that has plagued Nigeria’s oil sector for decades. The final decision is in the hands of Mr President if he’s truly conscious of implementing his renewed hope agenda. President Tinubu has a unique opportunity to chart a new course for Nigeria’s petroleum sector. By confronting the failures of the past and taking bold steps to address the systemic issues within NNPCL, he can lay the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable future.
Kyari must be seen for what he is: a menace to the oil sector, a disappointment to the presidency, a liability, and a remnant of the failed policies of the Buhari administration that must be excised for the good of the nation. It is time for him to be pruned and convicted, and for NNPCL to undergo the radical transformation it so desperately needs. The truth about the Port Harcourt Refinery is just the tip of the iceberg—beneath it lies a deeper crisis that demands urgent attention and decisive action.
This is a crossroads moment for Nigeria. The decisions made in the coming months will determine whether the country continues to stumble under the weight of past failures or rises to meet the challenges of the future. Kyari must go, and the truth about the Port Harcourt Refinery must be a turning point, not just for the oil sector, but for the nation as a whole.
King wrote this piece from Port Harcourt.
Is It Safe to Invest in Lagos Real Estate? Here’s What You Must Know by Dennis Isong
In 2018, Chinedu bought a plot of land in Ibeju-Lekki for ₦600,000. At the time, his friends laughed. “Na bush you go buy?” they teased. Even Chinedu had doubts, especially after struggling to locate the land twice. But he had a gut feeling and decided to take the risk.
Fast forward to 2024, Chinedu got a call from a developer building around the Lekki Free Trade Zone. They were interested in acquiring his plot. The offer? ₦8.5 million. He thought it was a joke—until the cheque cleared.
“I almost sold that land two years ago for ₦1.2 million because I was broke,” he told me, shaking his head with a smile. “But something told me to wait.”
Today, that same bush has a tarred road, power poles, and new buildings sprouting like mushrooms. The value keeps rising, and Chinedu is already scouting for his next plot—this time in Epe.
His only regret?
“I wish I bought three plots instead of one.”
That’s Lagos real estate for you. It looks like nothing at first—but if you play your cards right, it could be the best decision of your life.
Let’s not beat around the bush—Lagos real estate is hot cake. Everyone seems to be talking about it, whispering about one land deal in Epe or a smart investment in Ibeju-Lekki. The conversations are endless, and so are the questions. But the one that keeps bouncing from one corner of the room to another is this:
Is it really safe to invest in Lagos real estate?
Well, short answer? Yes.
But let’s not stop at “yes.” This is Lagos. Nothing is ever that simple. Before you pull out your wallet or empty your savings app, you need to know a few things that the billboards won’t tell you.
First, Why Is Everyone Rushing to Invest in Lagos Real Estate?
If Lagos were a person, it would be that loud, fast-talking cousin who always seems to have money flowing from one hustle or the other. Lagos is not just a city—it’s a mood, a movement, a madness that somehow makes financial sense.
It’s the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria. And where the heart beats, money flows.
From tech bros in Yaba to deep-pocket oil boys in Lekki, everyone is looking for where to park their money, and land is the new bank. Real estate in Lagos has become the golden goose for the smart investor. And why not? Land here doesn’t sleep—it appreciates, sometimes with the arrogance of a billionaire who knows he can’t fail.
But Wait—Is It Safe?
Now, this is where it gets interesting. Lagos isn’t Disneyland. It’s not all shiny buildings and smiling agents. The truth is, there are landmines in the system—some figurative, some legal, and some spiritual (ask anyone who’s ever mistakenly bought “Omonile land”).
Yet, thousands of people are making solid money from it. Some have even become landlords from buying land they never visited. How is this possible?
It all comes down to how you invest, where you invest, and who you’re dealing with.
The Shaky Past, The Bright Future
Let’s be honest: Lagos has had its fair share of land drama. The tales are plenty—fake documents, family land disputes, sudden demolitions. These stories are scary, yes, but they’re not the full picture.
Over the years, the Lagos real estate sector has matured, especially with government regulations, better documentation processes, and real estate firms who are finally doing things the right way. This is not 1997 when you could buy land and discover later that the “agent” was actually a carpenter with a borrowed suit.
Today, with a bit of caution and proper due diligence, you can invest in Lagos real estate and sleep well at night—like a baby who just signed a deed of assignment.
Lagos Is Expanding—And That’s a Clue
One thing that gives Lagos real estate its strong appeal is urban sprawl. The Lagos of today is not the Lagos of 10 years ago. Places like Sangotedo, Epe, and Ibeju-Lekki used to be jokes in property circles. Now? They’re punchlines of profit.
The Dangote Refinery, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and Lekki Free Trade Zone are not just projects—they’re magnets. Land prices in these areas are not sitting still. They’re running marathons. If you blink, the same land you ignored in 2022 could be worth double in 2025.
So yes, investing in Lagos real estate now may look like buying “bush,” but you know what they say—today’s bush is tomorrow’s Banana Island.
Let’s Talk About Risk (Because You Should Know)
Is there risk? Of course. This is Nigeria. There’s risk in crossing the road. But guess what? Risk is also where the money hides.
The key to safe investment is not avoiding Lagos real estate—it’s knowing the game and playing it with sense. Don’t go in blindly. Don’t let “cheap” deceive you. And please, don’t collect land documents on the back of a recharge card.
Use registered surveyors. Work with legit companies. In fact, if the deal sounds like it fell from heaven, double-check that the land isn’t under water. Lagos doesn’t forgive carelessness.
So, Is It Worth It?
If you’re still asking that question, you haven’t met someone who bought land in Ibeju-Lekki at ₦500k five years ago and just sold it for ₦7 million.
You haven’t heard the story of the woman who bought three plots in Badagry when nobody was looking, and now developers are begging to buy just one for a small fortune.
The truth is, Lagos real estate is like plantain. It may look green today, but give it time—it will ripen beautifully.
Final Word (and A Small Nudge)
If you’re waiting for Lagos to be “perfect” before you invest, you might be waiting forever. Lagos is not perfect. It’s not even pretending to be. But guess what? Its imperfections are where the opportunities hide.
While you’re hesitating, others are buying. And while you’re analyzing, someone else is acquiring. At some point, you’ll look around and realize that the same land you ignored is now behind a gate with a ₦1,000,000 price tag just to inspect it.
So, is it safe to invest in Lagos real estate? Absolutely—if you do it wisely.
Ask questions. Partner with people who know what they’re doing. Don’t rush, but don’t wait forever.
And if you need a guide, someone to help you navigate this crazy but profitable world of Lagos property, you already know who to call.
Yes, it’s me—Dennis Isong, your Lagos Realtor Extraordinaire.
STOP LOSING MONEY IN LAGOS REAL ESTATE!
Protect your investment with due diligence.
Visit: LandProperty.ng/free
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