Our Correspondent
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has issued a strong warning to the public over what it describes as false and misleading claims that it is selling refinery scrap materials, equipment and components to individuals and private firms.
In a statement signed by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the national oil company categorically denied authorising any such transactions involving its facilities in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.
According to the company, it has not issued any request for bids, tenders, or expressions of interest for the disposal of refinery assets, stressing that reports circulating in public spaces are entirely untrue.
“NNPC Limited wishes to alert the public to the circulation of misleading and false information suggesting that the company is selling scrap materials, equipment, or components from its refineries,” the statement read.
Rising Scam Risks Amid Refinery Uncertainty
The clarification comes against the backdrop of long-standing concerns over the operational state of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries. Facilities in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna have remained largely idle for years, despite repeated government assurances of rehabilitation.
This prolonged inactivity has fuelled speculation about the fate of refinery assets, creating fertile ground for fraudsters seeking to exploit uncertainty within the sector.
NNPC disclosed that it has received multiple reports of individuals falsely posing as its representatives or agents, offering to facilitate the sale of so-called scrap metals and equipment. The company warned that such actors are unauthorised and are attempting to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
Firm Denial and Public Advisory
Reiterating its position, the NNPC stressed that no items—whether scrap materials or functional components—are currently being sold from its refinery inventories or warehouses.
It advised individuals, corporate organisations and industry stakeholders to disregard any solicitations or offers linked to such claims, urging heightened vigilance in all dealings.
The company added that any legitimate disposal of assets would follow clearly defined and transparent procedures, in line with regulatory standards, and would be publicly communicated through its official channels.
Commitment to Transparency
NNPC further encouraged members of the public to report suspicious approaches or fraudulent representations to law enforcement authorities, noting that safeguarding national energy assets remains a top priority.
The statement also reaffirmed the commitment of the Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, to reviving the country’s refineries despite ongoing scepticism from industry stakeholders.
What This Means
The warning underscores growing concerns about misinformation and fraud in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, particularly at a time when the future of critical infrastructure remains under scrutiny.
For investors and the general public, the message is clear: any claims regarding the sale of refinery assets outside official NNPC channels should be treated as fraudulent.
As the company continues efforts to rehabilitate its refineries, transparency and credible communication will remain central to restoring confidence in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.