Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has cast doubt on the future of Nigeria’s state‑owned refineries, declaring that they may never become operational again.

Speaking on the state of the nation’s oil sector, Obasanjo criticized the repeated attempts to revive the facilities, arguing that billions of dollars have been spent on turnaround maintenance with little to show for it.

He maintained that Nigeria’s reliance on importing refined petroleum products will likely continue unless the country embraces new strategies, including private sector‑driven initiatives.

Obasanjo’s remarks have reignited debate over the viability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) refineries, which have remained largely dormant despite government promises of rehabilitation.

Industry experts say his comments reflect long‑standing concerns about corruption, inefficiency, and poor management in the oil sector, raising questions about whether Nigeria can ever achieve energy self‑sufficiency through its existing refinery infrastructure.