The Abia Modular Refinery is a planned project located inside the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park in Owaza, where the Abia State government and private partners aim to establish a 10,000-barrel-per-day processing facility. In August, Governor Alex Otti reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the refinery’s timely delivery, noting that the project—undertaken by HSI Energies Group—will create about 1,000 direct jobs alongside numerous indirect opportunities. It joins other African based oil refinery projects aimed at moving towards self sufficiency in refined crude oil products.
By November, the refinery had secured full federal approval, with compensation for affected landowners completed and site preparation already underway. Although full construction has not commenced, the project is progressing through equity sourcing, debt financing, and other preparatory stages, with multiple sources indicating that construction is expected to begin in 2026.
Project factsheet
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Project name: Abia Modular Refinery
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Location: Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP)
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Refining capacity: 10,000 barrels per day (bpd)
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Developer: HSI
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Status: Compensation completed; site clearing underway
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Construction start date: May 2025
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Approval: Federal Government of Nigeria
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Goal: Boost fuel supply and industrial growth in Abia
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Key partners: Abia State Government, NNPC
Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, gave the update after the State Executive Council meeting led by Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia.
He stated that landowners affected by the Abia Modular Refinery project had received full compensation. In addition, bush clearing and earthworks are ongoing around the refinery site. Kanu said:
Construction for the 10,000 bpd refinery will begin fully this second quarter. We expect full activity now that we are in May.
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Abia Modular Refinery gets federal approval as state plans fuel supply and global engagement
The Federal Government has already approved the developer, HSI, to build and run the Abia Modular Refinery. With site preparations progressing well, the project is now entering its key construction phase.
To ensure a steady supply of fuel across the state, the Abia Government has also partnered with NNPC. Talks with NNPC Port Harcourt Refinery and NNPC Retail are ongoing. These efforts aim to keep the Osisioma depot and surrounding areas well supplied.
The Commissioner also spoke about a state-backed study on solid minerals. The research, led by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, will help identify which resources—like granite, limestone, or zinc—are viable for mining and investment.
He added that Abia will attend the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, from 16–26 June 2025. The government plans to present its energy and environmental plans, including the Abia Modular Refinery, at the global event.
