As part of efforts to ensure energy self-sufficiency in Nigeria, the House of Representatives has proposed a new law to ensure that local oil refineries are protected and operate in a conducive environment.
The proposed legislation equally seeks to prioritise access to crude supply by the local refineries.
Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Ikenga Ugochinyere, made this known on Monday during the inaugural Annual Downstream Petroleum Week 2025 in Abuja.
The lawmaker who represents Ideato Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber said the proposed law titled ‘Refinery Protection and Promotion Bill’ will introduce measures that not only ensure unhindered access to crude feedstock but also prevent disruption of domestic refinery operations.
According to him, domestic refineries will be categorized as strategic national assets under the proposed law and also eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks.
He clarified that the proposed action was a response to the persistent difficulties encountered by domestic refineries, even in the face of continuous oil sector reforms, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) implementation of the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation (DCSO) on all producers, which guarantees crude access for local refineries before exports.
Ugochinyere noted that there is a significant transformation in the downstream sector marked by rising domestic refining capacity championed by the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery and other local plants, industrial growth and renewed investor confidence in the oil and gas sector.
“The transformation we are witnessing is born of courage, clarity, and innovation,” the lawmaker stated, adding that the “downstream sector is now more open, efficient, and ready for investment.”
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“We still face challenges, from feedstock shortages and pricing uncertainty to regulatory overlaps. To address these, the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (downstream) intends to pursue new legislative measures,” Ugochinyere said.
“We must sustain investor confidence, create jobs, and strengthen our energy independence. This is how nations grow—by empowering local industries to produce, compete, and thrive,” he added.
While emphasizing the need to sustain domestic refining, the lawmaker warned against actions by labour unions that disrupt oil and gas activities, as witnessed in the recent disputes between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN and NUPENG over the unionization of workers.
“No reform can succeed without industrial harmony,” he said, adding that “while labour issues are inevitable, they must never be allowed to undermine productivity or national stability.”
The Petroleum Downstream House Committee Chairman also applauded the industry regulators, such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the NUPRC, marketers, and other bodies, including MEMAN, DAPPMAN, IPMAN, PETROAN, NOGASA, NARTO, NGA, and others, for maintaining energy supply stability in the country. “Your resilience and commitment sustain the lifeblood of our economy and strengthen public confidence in the sector,” he stated.
He also commended the Dangote Refinery, describing it as “Africa’s largest refinery.”
Ugochinyere also praised the ongoing reforms at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), pointing out that Nigeria now has growing capability across the energy value chain.
The lawmaker cited the Indorama Petrochemical Complex, which has expanded its urea and fertilizer production to 2.8 million metric tonnes per year; the Waltersmith Modular Refinery in Imo State, which is increasing its capacity from 5,000 to 50,000 barrels per day; and the OPAC Refinery in Delta State, among other ongoing projects in Edo and Rivers States.
“Together, we can make Nigeria the energy powerhouse of Africa,” he declared.
The maiden Downstream Petroleum Week is organised by the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NMDPRA. The weeklong event will feature panel discussions, exhibitions, and technical sessions on refining, renewable integration, decarbonisation, and investment prospects in Nigeria’s energy sector.
In his opening remarks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the conference came at a critical time when the country is undergoing a significant transformation in the energy sector.
“This conference could not have come at a better time. Our duty as legislators is to provide the policies and oversight that will strengthen the downstream sector for a more secure, efficient, and resilient economy,” Abbas noted.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in Mass Communication. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X
