On April 23, 2026, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, and Saidu Mohammed, the Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, visited the Waltersmith modular refinery in Ohaji-Egbema, Imo State. The purpose of their visit was to check on the newly completed expansion, which doubled the refinery’s capacity from 5,000 barrels per day to 10,000 barrels.
The NCDMB first invested in Waltersmith in 2018, playing a significant role in its growth. The initial phase of the refinery began operations in November 2020. This expansion allows Waltersmith to produce various refined products, including diesel and kerosene.
Since starting operations, the refinery has provided over 1.1 billion liters of fuel to local and regional markets. This not only boosts Nigeria’s energy security but also supports economic growth. The refinery mainly supplies products to the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, with some products reaching neighboring West African countries.
Dr. Naboth Onyesoh, the NCDMB’s Legal Director, shared their excitement about the refinery’s success. He praised Waltersmith for its role in job creation and local content implementation. Abdulrazak Isa, Chairman of Waltersmith, highlighted that the visit aimed to showcase the facility’s capabilities and outline future developments.
Waltersmith has evolved from a single oil field into a multi-faceted company. It now holds stakes in Renaissance Africa Energy, which acquired assets from Shell Petroleum in March 2025. Looking ahead, Waltersmith plans to further expand by constructing a 30,000 barrels per day condensate refinery and an industrial park for gas-based companies.
The company will also develop a gas line capable of delivering 100 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, along with providing power to attract industries to the park. They aim to finalize agreements for this expansion by late 2026, sourcing materials from nearby fields.
Mr. Isa emphasized the importance of investing in the petrochemical sector, which plays a crucial role in supporting the economy, and sought approvals from NMDPRA for the next steps. Mohammed expressed his enthusiasm for Waltersmith’s achievements and assured support for the company’s expansion goals. He noted that projects like this are essential for Nigeria’s economic development.
In today’s energy landscape, local initiatives like the Waltersmith refinery showcase how combining investment and innovation can drive growth and sustainability. As countries globally strive for energy independence, Nigeria’s focus on local refining capacity is more important than ever.
For more insights into Nigeria’s energy sector, you can explore reports from the NMDPRA here.
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Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB),Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA),Waltersmith Refinery
