The House of Representatives in Nigeria has emphasized the importance of the 7.25 percent equity stake that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) holds in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, calling it a crucial move for national interest and public accountability. This perspective was articulated by Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House, during a press briefing in Abuja, where he described the collaboration between NNPC and the Dangote refinery as a pivotal moment for energy sector reforms in Nigeria.

Agbese highlighted that this partnership represents a significant shift from reliance on state control towards a more structured form of public-private collaboration. The Deputy Spokesman pointed out that maintaining a stake of this scale in such a vital asset guarantees that Nigeria's national interests are prioritized within the operational framework of this monumental project. The Dangote refinery is being constructed to have a capacity of processing 650,000 barrels of oil per day, which addresses the longstanding issues of refining inadequacies and dependency on imports for petroleum products.

The support from the House of Representatives for NNPC's involvement signals an evolving landscape in Nigeria's energy sector, aiming for increased efficiency and self-sufficiency. By embedding national interests within a private venture, lawmakers believe it can lead to improved accountability and operational successes that will ultimately benefit the Nigerian economy and reduce the historic challenges faced in oil refining.