The Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa State is nearing completion and is set to begin petrol production, marking a significant step toward Nigeria's energy independence and complementing the output of the Dangote Refinery. The $1 billion project, described by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) as a world-class engineering feat, is expected to drive industrialisation, job creation, and economic growth across the Niger Delta.
Refinery Nears Completion
Members of the NSE recently visited the refinery complex in Yenagoa, where they inspected the facility and assessed its engineering and construction progress. Chairman of the NSE Bayelsa Branch, Mac Jokori, said the project had met high engineering standards and represented a significant milestone for Nigeria's refining industry. He noted that the refinery, now at the finishing stage, was designed to process both crude oil and condensate as feedstock, giving it a broader production capability than simpler topping plants.
“As engineers, we recognise that a refinery of this scale is more than a commercial venture,” Jokori said, describing the facility as an engine of industrialisation and a platform for developing local technical skills. According to him, more than 700 engineers and other workers are currently engaged in the project, creating employment and opportunities for skills development.
$1 Billion Investment, 25,000bpd Capacity
President of Azikel Group, Dr Azibapu Eruani, said the project's extended construction timeline was largely due to engineering upgrades, redesign, and the complexity involved in developing a full hydro-skimming refinery. He explained that the refinery, originally licensed in 2015, had undergone extensive value engineering, increasing its planned capacity to 25,000 barrels per day and taking total investment to about $1 billion.
The facility is designed to produce Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) alongside diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas. Eruani said the refinery could eventually be expanded to 125,000 barrels per day as demand and investment conditions permit.
Azikel to Produce Petrol and Aviation Fuel
The Azikel Group president also pushed back against comparisons between the project and topping plants, stressing that hydro-skimming refineries have broader processing capabilities. While topping plants primarily separate crude into basic petroleum products, hydro-skimming facilities can produce a wider range of refined products, including petrol and aviation fuel. Eruani described Azikel as Nigeria's second-largest full-slate refinery and said it was designed to process condensate into several petroleum products, including petrol, dual-purpose kerosene, automotive gas oil, and heavy fuel oil.
Bayelsa Targets Industrial Transformation
Beyond fuel production, the project is being positioned as a major industrial catalyst for Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta. Eruani said the refinery would create jobs, transfer technical knowledge, and stimulate economic activity while helping transform Bayelsa into an industrial hub. The NSE pledged technical collaboration with the project through internships, mentorship, research partnerships, and capacity-building programmes.
With Azikel moving towards commissioning, its entry into the domestic refining market could add another significant source of locally produced petrol and other fuels, complementing output from Nigeria's larger refineries and strengthening the country's drive to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
Nigerians Praise Dangote Refinery Over New Petrol Price
In a related development, residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have praised Dangote Petroleum Refinery's decision to cut its ex-depot price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), though many say the reduction has yet to ease the cost of transportation, food, and other daily essentials. The refinery lowered its ex-depot petrol price from N1,330 per litre to between N1,265 and N1,300 per litre, reversing gains recorded over the previous two weeks when global crude oil prices were volatile. The adjustment followed an earlier announcement by the refinery of plans to distribute petrol free of charge in Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kaduna, Delta, and the FCT to improve product availability.
