Nigeria’s refining landscape has undergone significant transformation in recent years, with a mix of mega projects and modular plants now contributing to domestic fuel production. As of 2025, these are the top 10 refineries ranked by capacity and operational relevance, including ownership status and year of establishment.
1. Dangote Refinery – 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), Lagos
The Dangote Refinery remains the largest refinery in Africa and the biggest single-train refinery in the world. Located in Lagos and privately owned by the Dangote Group, the plant began operations in January 2024. It processes multiple products, including petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and has drastically reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.
2. Port Harcourt Refinery (New) – 150,000 bpd, Port Harcourt
The new Port Harcourt Refinery is part of the rehabilitation project of the old complex. Established in 1989, this government-owned facility under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) underwent major refurbishment and restarted phased operations in late 2024. It currently contributes significantly to Nigeria’s petrol and diesel supply.
3. Warri Refinery – 125,000 bpd, Warri
Commissioned in 1978, the Warri Refinery is another government-owned plant under the NNPC. After being dormant for years, the facility resumed partial operations in December 2024 following major repairs. Its current output is around 60–70% of installed capacity.
4. Kaduna Refinery – 110,000 bpd, Kaduna
The Kaduna Refinery, established in the early 1980s, has long been plagued by inefficiency and underutilization. Owned by the NNPC, it remains under rehabilitation as of mid-2025. While not fully functional yet, it remains a critical asset in Nigeria’s refining strategy.
5. Port Harcourt Refinery (Old) – 60,000 bpd, Port Harcourt
This is the original Port Harcourt Refinery, commissioned in 1965. Like its newer counterpart, it is owned by the government through NNPC. After a major overhaul, it resumed operations at high utilization in 2024, supplying refined products to the eastern corridor.
6. Edo Refinery – 12,000 bpd, Edo State
Edo Refinery began operations in 2023 under a joint initiative between Africa Infrastructure Partners and the Edo State Government. It started with 6,000 bpd and expanded to 12,000 bpd by 2025. The privately operated modular plant contributes mainly diesel and naphtha, serving both local demand and regional exports.
7. Aradel Holdings Refinery (formerly Niger Delta Petroleum Refinery) – 11,000 bpd, Delta State
Aradel Holdings, formerly known as Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, operates Nigeria’s first government-licensed private modular refinery, commissioned in 2010. Located in Ogbele, Rivers State, the plant began with a modest 1,000 bpd capacity and has been expanded over time, reaching approximately 11,000 bpd. It remains a benchmark for modular refinery success in Nigeria, combining crude processing with power generation and gas utilization.
8. OPAC Refinery – 10,000 bpd, Delta State
Located in Delta State, OPAC Refinery is a privately owned modular refinery that commenced operations before 2025. It plays a vital role in supplying petroleum products to the Niger Delta region. The plant focuses on diesel and other light products, helping to reduce transport logistics costs in the area.
9. Walter Smith Refinery – 5,000 bpd, Imo State
The Walter Smith Refinery, which began Phase I operations in 2020 at 5,000 bpd, is located in Ohaji-Egbema, Imo State. Privately owned by WalterSmith Petroman, it is undergoing expansion to increase its capacity to 10,000 bpd by the end of 2025. It supplies refined diesel and kerosene and is a model for Nigeria’s modular refinery strategy.
10. Duport Midstream Refinery – 2,500 bpd, Edo State
Commissioned around 2022, the Duport Midstream Refinery is situated within the Duport Energy Park in Edo State. Privately owned, the plant produces diesel and naphtha, and it integrates upstream, refining, and gas processing operations under one hub. Though small in capacity, it is notable for its innovation and infrastructure integration.
Conclusion
With both mega-refineries like Dangote’s and modular plants such as Waltersmith and Aradel, Nigeria is steadily advancing toward refining self-sufficiency. Government-owned plants are gradually returning to service, while private sector players continue to expand modular capacity. Together, these facilities are reshaping the domestic petroleum industry and reducing reliance on imported refined products.
