The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has declared the Dangote Refinery and other modular refineries across Nigeria as assets of strategic national interest, calling for collective efforts to protect and promote them.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, stated this in Abuja, stressing that with the operations of these indigenous plants, Nigeria now boasts expanding refining capacity and industrial growth across the energy value chain.
He highlighted the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery as Africa’s largest, transforming the regional energy landscape, while praising Indorama Petrochemicals’ expansion to 2.8 million metric tonnes of urea annually and Waltersmith Modular Refinery’s ongoing upgrade from 5,000 to 50,000 barrels per day.
“These developments, supported by over $13 billion in new upstream investments in 2024 alone, signal renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector,” Ugochinyere said.
The lawmaker commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for enforcing the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation (DCSO), ensuring local refineries have access to crude before exports.
“This bold step moves Nigeria from policy rhetoric to practical support for domestic refining, job creation, and energy independence,” he added.
Ugochinyere revealed that the Committee plans to introduce new legislative measures, including a Refinery Protection and Promotion Bill to classify refineries as strategic national assets. The bill would guarantee local refineries first right of refusal for crude allocations and streamline regulatory bottlenecks.
He also addressed labour disputes involving the Dangote Refinery, urging dialogue over disruption.
“No reform can succeed without industrial harmony. Labour and operators must embrace dialogue in the national interest. The House Committee stands ready to ensure peace, fairness, and mutual respect in all engagements,” he said.
Ugochinyere reaffirmed that the Committee’s ultimate goal is to protect jobs, sustain businesses, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy sovereignty through a stable, investor-friendly downstream sector.
