Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is witnessing a monumental transformation as Gasoline Associates International Limited (GAIL) officially launches its massive refinery project in Ipokia, Ogun State. Touted as Nigeria’s second-largest private refinery, the facility begins operations with a 100,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) capacity and is projected to expand to 450,000 bpd—positioning it just behind the Dangote Refinery.
Led by Dr. Lukman Akande Bolaji, GAIL’s Chairman and CEO, the refinery aims to drastically reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products. The plant will produce:
- Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
- Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
- Jet Fuel (ATK)
“Our goal is not just to refine crude oil,” said Dr. Bolaji, “but to drive sustainable economic growth through innovation, local content development, and strategic partnerships.”
Strategically situated near the Benin Republic border, the Ipokia refinery is expected to:
- Turn Ogun State into a regional energy and industrial hub
- Create thousands of jobs
- Attract international and domestic investment
- Spur infrastructure and socioeconomic development
Beyond refining, the facility will incorporate petrochemical processing units, aligning with Nigeria’s push for industrial diversification and value-added manufacturing in the energy sector.
This milestone comes as part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to reform the downstream oil sector, ensuring better energy security and economic resilience.
The project has already secured all required operational and construction licenses from the Federal Government, indicating robust support for private-sector-driven initiatives in the country’s energy space.
