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.
Business
BUA Foods Records 91% Surge in Profit After Tax, Hits ₦508bn in 2025
BUA Foods Records 91% Surge in Profit After Tax, Hits ₦508bn in 2025
By femi Oyewale
Business
Adron Homes Unveils “Love for Love” Valentine Promo with Exciting Discounts, Luxury Gifts, and Travel Rewards
Adron Homes Unveils “Love for Love” Valentine Promo with Exciting Discounts, Luxury Gifts, and Travel Rewards
In celebration of the season of love, Adron Homes and Properties has announced the launch of its special Valentine campaign, “Love for Love” Promo, a customer-centric initiative designed to reward Nigerians who choose to express love through smart, lasting real estate investments.
The Love for Love Promo offers clients attractive discounts, flexible payment options, and an array of exclusive gift items, reinforcing Adron Homes’ commitment to making property ownership both rewarding and accessible. The campaign runs throughout the Valentine season and applies to the company’s wide portfolio of estates and housing projects strategically located across Nigeria.
Speaking on the promo, the company’s Managing Director, Mrs Adenike Ajobo, stated that the initiative is aimed at encouraging individuals and families to move beyond conventional Valentine gifts by investing in assets that secure their future. According to the company, love is best demonstrated through stability, legacy, and long-term value—principles that real estate ownership represents.
Under the promo structure, clients who make a payment of ₦100,000 receive cake, chocolates, and a bottle of wine, while those who pay ₦200,000 are rewarded with a Love Hamper. Payments of ₦500,000 attract a Love Hamper plus cake, and clients who pay ₦1,000,000 enjoy a choice of a Samsung phone or a Love Hamper with cake.
The rewards become increasingly premium as commitment grows. Clients who pay ₦5,000,000 receive either an iPad or an all-expenses-paid romantic getaway for a couple at one of Nigeria’s finest hotels, which includes two nights’ accommodation, special treats, and a Love Hamper. A payment of ₦10,000,000 comes with a choice of a Samsung Z Fold 7, three nights at a top-tier resort in Nigeria, or a full solar power installation.
For high-value investors, the Love for Love Promo delivers exceptional lifestyle experiences. Clients who pay ₦30,000,000 on land are rewarded with a three-night couple’s trip to Doha, Qatar, or South Africa, while purchasers of any Adron Homes house valued at ₦50,000,000 receive a double-door refrigerator.
The promo covers Adron Homes’ estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger States, offering clients the opportunity to invest in fast-growing, strategically positioned communities nationwide.
Adron Homes reiterated that beyond the incentives, the campaign underscores the company’s strong reputation for secure land titles, affordable pricing, strategic locations, and a proven legacy in real estate development.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Adron Homes encourages Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to take advantage of the Love for Love Promo to enjoy exceptional value, exclusive rewards, and the opportunity to build a future rooted in love, security, and prosperity.
Business
Why Nigeria’s Banks Still on Shaky Ground with Big Profits, Weak Capital
*Why Nigeria’s Banks Still on Shaky Ground with Big Profits, Weak Capital*
*BY BLAISE UDUNZE*
Despite the fragile 2024 economy grappling with inflation, currency volatility, and weak growth, Nigeria’s banking industry was widely portrayed as successful and strong amid triumphal headlines. The figures appeared to signal strength, resilience, and superior management as the Tier-1 banks such as Access Bank, Zenith Bank, GTBank, UBA, and First Bank of Nigeria, collectively reported profits approaching, and in some cases exceeding, N1 trillion. Surprisingly, a year later, these same banks touted as sound and solid are locked in a frenetic race to the capital markets, issuing rights offers and public placements back-to-back to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N500 billion recapitalisation thresholds.
The contradiction is glaring. If Nigeria’s biggest banks are so profitable, why are they unable to internally fund their new capital requirements? Why have no fewer than 27 banks tapped the capital market in quick succession despite repeated assurances of balance-sheet robustness? And more fundamentally, what do these record profits actually say about the real health of the banking system?
The recapitalisation directive announced by the CBN in 2024 was ambitious by design. Banks with international licences were required to raise minimum capital to N500 billion by March 2026, while national and regional banks faced lower but still substantial thresholds ranging from N200 billion to N50 billion, respectively. Looking at the policy, it was sold as a modern reform meant to make banks stronger, more resilient in tough times, and better able to support major long-term economic development. In theory, strong banks should welcome such reforms. In practice, the scramble that followed has exposed uncomfortable truths about the structure of bank profitability in Nigeria.
At the heart of the inconsistency is a fundamental misunderstanding often encouraged by the banks themselves between profits and capital. Unknown to many, profitability, no matter how impressive, does not automatically translate into regulatory capital. Primarily, the CBN’s recapitalisation framework actually focuses on money paid in by shareholders when buying shares, fresh equity injected by investors over retained earnings or profits that exist mainly on paper.
This distinction matters because much of the profit surge recorded in 2024 and early 2025 was neither cash-generative nor sustainably repeatable. A significant portion of those headline banks’ profits reported actually came from foreign exchange revaluation gains following the sharp fall of the naira after exchange-rate unification. The industry witnessed that banks’ holding dollar-denominated assets their books showed bigger numbers as their balance sheets swell in naira terms, creating enormous paper profits without a corresponding improvement in underlying operational strength. These gains inflated income statements but did little to strengthen core capital, especially after the CBN barred banks from using FX revaluation gains for dividends or routine operations. In effect, banks looked richer without becoming stronger.
Beyond FX effects, Nigerian banks have increasingly relied on non-interest income fees, charges, and transaction levies to drive profitability. While this model is lucrative, it does not necessarily deepen financial intermediation or expand productive lending. High profits built on customer charges rather than loan growth offer limited support for long-term balance-sheet expansion. They also leave banks vulnerable when macroeconomic conditions shift, as is now happening.
Indeed, the recapitalisation exercise coincides with a turning point in the monetary cycle. The extraordinary conditions that supported bank earnings in 2024 and 2025 are beginning to unwind. Analysts now warn that Nigerian banks are approaching earnings reset, as net interest margins the backbone of traditional banking profitability, come under sustained pressure.
Renaissance Capital, in a January note, projects that major banks including Zenith, GTCO, Access Holdings, and UBA will struggle to deliver earnings growth in 2026 comparable to recent performance.
In a real sense, the CBN is expected to lower interest rates by 400 to 500 basis points because inflation is slowing down, and this means that banks will earn less on loans and government bonds, but they may not be able to quickly lower the interest they pay on deposits or other debts. The cash reserve requirements are still elevated, which does not earn interest; banks can’t easily increase or expand lending investments to make up for lower returns. The implications are significant. Net interest margin, the difference between what banks earn on loans and investments and what they pay on deposits, is poised to contract. Deposit competition is intensifying as lenders fight to shore up liquidity ahead of recapitalisation deadlines, pushing up funding costs. At the same time, yields on treasury bills and bonds, long a safe and lucrative haven for banks are expected to soften in a lower-rate environment. The result is a narrowing profit cushion just as banks are being asked to carry far larger equity bases.
Compounding this challenge is the fading of FX revaluation windfalls. With the naira relatively more stable in early 2026, the non-cash gains that once flattered bank earnings have largely evaporated. What remains is the less glamorous reality of core banking operations: credit risk management, cost efficiency, and genuine loan growth in a sluggish economy. In this new environment, maintaining headline profits will be far harder, even before accounting for the dilutive impact of recapitalisation.
That dilution is another underappreciated consequence of the capital rush. Massive share issuances mean that even if banks manage to sustain absolute profit levels, earnings per share and return on equity are likely to decline. Zenith, Access, UBA, and others are dramatically increasing their share counts. The same earnings pie is now being divided among many more shareholders, making individual returns leaner than during the pre-recapitalisation boom. For investors, the optics of strong profits may soon give way to the reality of weaker per-share performance.
Yet banks have pressed ahead, not only out of regulatory necessity but also strategic calculation.
During this period of recapitalization, investors are interested in the stock market with optimism, especially about bank shares, as banks are raising fresh capital, and this makes it easier to attract investments. This has become a season for the management teams to seize the moment to raise funds at relatively attractive valuations, strengthen ownership positions, and position themselves for post-recapitalisation dominance. In several cases, major shareholders and insiders have increased their stakes, as projected in the media, signalling confidence in long-term prospects even as near-term returns face pressure.
There is also a broader structural ambition at play. Well-capitalised banks can take on larger single obligor exposures, finance infrastructure projects, expand regionally, and compete more credibly with pan-African and global peers. From this perspective, recapitalisation is not merely about compliance but about reshaping the competitive hierarchy of Nigerian banking. What will be witnessed in the industry is that those who succeed will emerge larger, fewer, and more powerful. Those that fail will be forced into consolidation, retreat, or irrelevance.
For the wider economy, the outcome is ambiguous. Stronger banks with deeper capital buffers could improve systemic stability and enhance Nigeria’s ability to fund long-term development. The point is that while merging or consolidating banks may make them safer, it can also harm the market and the economy because it will reduce competition, let a few banks dominate, and encourage them to earn easy money from bonds and fees instead of funding real businesses. The truth be told, injecting more capital into the banks without complementary reforms in credit infrastructure, risk-sharing mechanisms, and fiscal discipline, isn’t enough as the aforementioned reforms are also needed.
The rush as exposed in this period, is that the moment Nigerian banks started raising new capital, the glaring reality behind their reported profits became clearer, that profits weren’t purely from good management, while the financial industry is not as sound and strong as its headline figures. The fact that trillion-naira profit banks must return repeatedly to shareholders for fresh capital is not a sign of excess strength, but of structural imbalance.
With the deadline for banks to raise new capital coming soon, by 31 March 2026, the focus has shifted from just raising N500 billion. N200 billion or N50 billion to think about the future shape and quality of Nigeria’s financial industry, or what it will actually look like afterward. Will recapitalisation mark a turning point toward deeper intermediation, lower dependence on speculative gains, and stronger support for economic growth? Or will it simply reset the numbers while leaving underlying incentives unchanged?
The answer will define the next chapter of Nigerian banking long after the capital market roadshows have ended and the profit headlines have faded.
Blaise, a journalist and PR professional, writes from Lagos and can be reached via: [email protected]
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