The Chief Executive Officer of Ebenco, Dr. Ebenezer Oluwagbemiga, has revealed that the company’s modular refinery project will rely entirely on indigenous technology, a move aimed at enhancing local expertise, boosting Nigeria’s economy, and reducing dependence on imported systems.
Oluwagbemiga highlighted that the facility, the first fully locally fabricated modular refinery in the country, is being constructed solely with homegrown technology and expertise, without any reliance on foreign systems or imported fabrication.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, he noted that the refinery, situated in Koko, Delta State, is at an advanced stage and is slated to begin production in 2026.
“This project proves that Nigerians can design, fabricate and execute refinery projects using indigenous technology,” Oluwagbemiga said. “Rather than build a refinery that would depend perpetually on imported technology, we made a conscious decision to go fully local.”
He further explained that the refinery’s local systems have drawn interest from both domestic and international stakeholders, many of whom have visited the site to evaluate its innovative design and potential contributions 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 initiative has also captured the attention of government officials. Recently, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, inspected the refinery to review its progress and technological framework.
Commending the project, Lokpobiri described it as a benchmark for future oil and gas sector investments.
“When this refinery is completed, it will serve as a model that can be replicated across the country,” he said, emphasizing its potential to strengthen Nigeria’s refining capacity and energy security.
Additionally, Dr. Ngozi Nwankwo, Director of Liquids at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority noted that the refinery’s advanced technology warrants close regulatory scrutiny.
She said the authority would examine the system as part of its oversight and institutional learning.
Industry observers believe that once operational, the Ebenco Modular Refinery could help alleviate downstream supply constraints, generate employment, and reinforce confidence in indigenous engineering within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Production is expected to commence in 2026, following final regulatory approvals and commissioning.
