Don Proffers Solutions To Nigeria’s Refinery Challenges 

A  Professor of Chemical Engineering, at the Rivers State University  Nkpolu/ Oroworukwu,  Port Harcourt, has outlined scientific approaches that can help to solve Nigeria’s refinery problems and improve oil sector efficiency.

Prof. Kenneth Kekpugile Dagde, a professor of modeling and simulation of chemical processes at RSU, outlined his ideas during the school’s 133rd inaugural lecture last Wednesday.

The lecture, titled “Milking the cash cow: harnessing mathematical modelling and simulation for sustainable refinery operations in Nigeria,” was held at the university auditorium.

Dagde argued that mathematical modeling and simulation are now essential, not optional, for modern refineries and  said that they are central to keeping operations stable and sustainable over time.

Despite Nigeria’s large oil and gas reserves, he noted the country still lacks capacity to refine enough fuel for local use. That gap forces heavy dependence on imported petroleum products.

According to him, refineries only become a real “cash cow” when managed through proper modeling, simulation, control, and optimization. Validated models, he said, help with design, day to day operation, troubleshooting, and overall optimization.

He stressed that the future of Nigeria’s refineries must be data-driven and digitally enabled. Process engineering backed by real data is what will make operations more reliable and efficient.

Dagde also listed the key problems hurting local refineries which include government interference, lack of autonomy, poor maintenance culture, politicians choosing turnaround maintenance contractors, and chronic feedstock shortages.

He explained that crude is exported, leaving refineries without feed. Without feed, equipment sits idle, becomes redundant, and starts failing and suggests that all refineries, public or private, should own oil blocks to secure steady crude supply.

He further recommended  that  Local refineries should build modeling, simulation, and advanced control into both design and operations. He also called for stronger collaboration between universities and industry, plus better training for engineers.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Blessing Jaja said the the lecture was thought-provoking.

He said that Nigeria had enough crude, but expressed disappointment that daily demand was not met.