By : Ernest Nzor
The Chief Executive Officer of Ebenco, Dr. Ebenezer Oluwagbemiga, has said the company’s decision to deploy 100 per cent indigenous technology for its modular refinery project was driven by a deliberate strategy to deepen local capacity, boost Nigeria’s economy, and reduce dependence on imported refinery systems.
Oluwagbemiga explained that the project is the first fully locally fabricated modular refinery in Nigeria, built entirely with homegrown technology and expertise, without reliance on foreign systems or imported fabrication.
He disclosed this during a media interaction in Abuja, noting that the refinery, located in Koko, Delta State, is at an advanced stage of development and is expected to commence production in 2026.
According to him, the project represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s local content drive and demonstrates the ability of indigenous engineering to deliver complex energy infrastructure.
“Rather than build a refinery that would depend perpetually on imported technology, we made a conscious decision to go fully local,” Oluwagbemiga said. “This project proves that Nigerians can design, fabricate and execute refinery projects using indigenous technology.”
He said the refinery’s locally developed systems have attracted interest from both local and international stakeholders, many of whom have visited the project site to assess its innovation and potential contribution to Nigeria’s energy sector.
“The project aligns with national efforts to deepen local content, strengthen domestic refining capacity and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products,” he added.
The facility has also drawn the attention of top government officials. Recently, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, inspected the refinery to assess its level of completion and technological framework.
Commending the initiative, Lokpobiri described the project as a benchmark for future investments in the oil and gas sector.
“When this refinery is completed, it will serve as a model that can be replicated across the country,” the minister said, noting its potential to support Nigeria’s refining capacity and energy security objectives.
Also speaking, the Director of Liquids at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Dr. Ngozi Nwankwo, said the refinery is deploying innovative technology advanced enough to merit close regulatory assessment.
She said the authority would study the technology as part of its oversight and institutional learning process.
Industry analysts believe that once operational, the Ebenco Modular Refinery could help ease downstream supply constraints, create jobs, and reinforce confidence in indigenous engineering solutions within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Production is expected to commence in 2026, subject to final regulatory approvals and commissioning.
Source: guardian.ng/
