An energy expert and lecturer at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Dr. Joseph Obele, has defended the proposed refinery partnership involving Chinese investors, describing opposition to the deal as politically motivated and driven by advocates of monopoly in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
Obele, who reacted to comments made on Arise Television by former President of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), Dele Oye, said critics of the arrangement were largely opponents of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms and persons uncomfortable with increased competition in the petroleum industry.
He maintained that while constructive criticism remained necessary in a democracy, outright opposition to refinery investments without allowing the process to mature could discourage foreign direct investment and hinder industrial growth.
According to him, the proposed partnership with Chinese firms is intended to expand Nigeria’s refining capacity, create jobs, attract foreign investment, encourage technology transfer and strengthen national energy security.
“Nigeria cannot afford to reject strategic foreign investments capable of reviving critical sectors such as refining, petrochemicals and energy infrastructure,” he said.
Obele argued that some individuals opposing the agreement had benefited over the years from import dependency, limited competition and monopoly in the downstream sector.
He said the Tinubu administration had continued to encourage international partnerships and private sector participation as part of efforts to reposition the economy and address long-standing inefficiencies in the oil and gas industry.
The energy expert added that the entry of additional refinery investors would help stabilise fuel supply, reduce pressure on foreign exchange and promote healthy competition capable of lowering the cost of petroleum products.
He stressed that stronger competition in the downstream sector would dismantle monopolistic practices and ultimately improve product availability and affordability for consumers.
Obele, however, acknowledged concerns raised about technical competence and transparency in the proposed deal, but said such issues should be addressed through regulatory oversight, detailed negotiations and performance benchmarks rather than campaigns capable of undermining investor confidence.
Speaking as a member of the refinery host community, Obele said many residents had welcomed the initiative, noting that Alesa Eleme community, the core host community of the Port Harcourt Refinery, had suffered neglect despite more than 50 years of refinery operations by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
He said community members believed the proposed investment could bring development, employment opportunities, infrastructure and skills acquisition that had been lacking for decades.
According to him, stakeholders in the energy sector have described the partnership as a positive development capable of boosting investor confidence and supporting the economic reform agenda of the Federal Government.
He added that host communities were prepared to provide a peaceful and supportive environment for the investors to ensure the success of the project.
Obele further stressed that Nigeria, as Africa’s leading oil-producing nation, should not continue to depend heavily on imported refined petroleum products when opportunities exist to establish more local refineries through global partnerships.
He called on Nigerians to support investments capable of promoting industrialisation, employment, energy sufficiency and economic growth rather than politicising developmental initiatives.
The lecturer also insisted that no single refinery should dominate Nigeria’s energy market, emphasizing that competition remained essential for efficiency, innovation, price stability and long-term sustainability in the sector.
He urged the NNPCL and the Chinese investors to give adequate consideration to host communities in the Memorandum of Understanding, particularly in the area of equity participation.
