BY: Hafiz Rabiu
Claim:
There are recent speculations in public domain that the BUA refinery and petrochemicals project in Akwa Ibom was 90% complete. These claims spread rapidly across social media.
Verdict:
False. BUA Group has released a press statement debunking the rumors via its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Recent, misleading speculations in circulation suggests that the BUA refinery and petrochemicals project in Akwa Ibom was 90% complete. Also, in 2021, an X user, @Woye1, tweeted: “BUA to complete 200,000 barrels per day refinery before 2025 in Akwa Ibom. More jobs, petrol price will come down. FG will also buy 20% shares too. Ask your fathers and mothers to build refineries too. No more sister Ile-Ife to stop supply of crude. It is guaranteed now by law.” The post suggested that the refinery would be completed before 2025, creating expectations among many Nigerians.
In response, BUA Group issued a press statement on their official X handle, categorically debunking these claims. The statement read: “BUA wishes to advise the public to disregard such misleading reports that did not emanate from us. As we make remarkable strides on our Akwa Ibom refinery project, we are proud to share that construction is progressing steadily. Whilst the refinery is not at 90% completion, we are, however, on track to meet our delivery timelines in collaboration with our partners.”
VERIFICATION:
To verify the claim, FactCheckAfrica analyzed the press statement released by BUA Group on January 5, 2025, via its official X account. The statement explicitly refutes the 90% completion claim, clarifying that although construction is ongoing, the refinery has not reached such an advanced stage. The company emphasized its commitment to maintaining transparency by providing accurate updates only through official channels as significant milestones are achieved.
Additionally, our independent reviews of construction progress corroborate BUA Group’s position. According to engineering and industry reports, large-scale refinery projects, particularly those with a capacity of 200,000 barrels per day, typically face complex logistical and technical challenges that require meticulous planning and execution. Completion percentages are often based on detailed project assessments, which involve not just physical construction but also the installation of critical infrastructure, testing, and compliance with regulatory standards. No available evidence supports the claim that the BUA refinery has reached 90% completion.
Nigeria’s refining sector has long faced challenges, including dependency on imported refined petroleum products and underperformance of existing refineries. The announcement of new refinery projects, such as the BUA Group’s 200,000 barrels per day refinery in Akwa Ibom, generated considerable public interest and optimism. However, misinformation surrounding project timelines and progress often leads to inflated expectations and public disappointment.
Based on the evidence, the claim that the BUA 200,000 barrels per day refinery in Akwa Ibom is 90% complete is false. BUA Group’s official statement and independent assessments confirm that while construction is progressing steadily, the project has not reached the purported level of completion.
