Nigeria’s Federal Government has thrown its weight behind Ebenco Global’s 30,000-barrel-per-day modular refinery project in Koko, Delta State, describing it as a major step towards strengthening indigenous refining capacity.
During an inspection visit, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, hailed the project as a critical milestone in efforts to tackle crude oil theft, illegal refining, and persistent supply shortfalls in the country’s petroleum sector.
“When this Ebenco’s modular refinery is completed, we want to see how this could be replicated in collaboration with stakeholders so that those breaking pipelines don’t need to break pipelines,” Lokpobiri said after taking a guided tour of the facility.
“They just need to acquire this (refinery) and if they don’t have money, we will work with them to see how we can procure for them.”
The refinery, being developed by Ebenco Global Link Limited, an indigenous energy and industrial services company, is designed as a fully localised facility. The cost of the project is not immediately clear.
Officials say it is one of several modular refineries intended to complement larger ventures such as the Dangote Refinery and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel.
Ebenco’s chief executive, Ebenezer Oluwagbemiga, confirmed that construction is underway and the plant will be commissioned in phases, beginning with 5,000 b/d before reaching full capacity.
“We are taking this stage by stage. As it is now, we are starting with 5,000 barrels, whereby we have got to start with 1,500 that he (Lokpobiri) came to inspect,” Oluwagbemiga said.
He stressed that once operational, the refinery would generate jobs, deepen local content and provide legitimate alternatives to illegal refining in the Niger Delta.
Industry experts have praised the initiative as a “strong indicator of renewed investor confidence” in Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.
Management consultant Dr Peter Akindeju described the modular design as a breakthrough in indigenous engineering, offering greater flexibility and faster delivery timelines. He urged the government to grant the project pioneer status, citing its national importance for refining expansion, job creation, and energy security.
Dr Omonigho, an associate professor at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), also commended the investment as a landmark step towards industrial self-reliance, showcasing Nigerian capacity to build complex midstream and downstream assets.
Nigeria’s refining sector has seen renewed momentum in recent years.
Dangote’s giant refinery began commercial operations last year and is set to more than double its capacity from 650,000 b/d to 1.4 million within three years.
BUA Group is progressing with its 200,000 b/d refinery in Akwa Ibom State, while Backbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (Binl) is advancing a $15bn project in Ondo State, which will include a 500,000 b/d plant and a 1,471-hectare free trade zone.
The government says Ebenco’s refinery ranks among the most significant indigenous projects in decades, underscoring its push to expand domestic refining and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.