By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna As Nigeria struggles to revive its ailing petroleum refineries, mechanical engineers in Kaduna have warned th
By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
As Nigeria struggles to revive its ailing petroleum refineries, mechanical engineers in Kaduna have warned that the country cannot overlook the importance of Shutdowns, Turnarounds, and Outages (STOs), which they described as the backbone of refinery efficiency and safety.
Delivering a public lecture titled, “STO’s in Refineries: An Overview” at the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), Kaduna Chapter, Engr. Musa B. Ibrahim, FNIMechE, stressed that STOs are not routine procedures but vital interventions.
“Without structured and well-executed STOs, refineries lose efficiency, face higher risks, and ultimately fail to meet both market and regulatory demands,” he said, urging government and industry operators to prioritize professional expertise in turnaround maintenance.
Other speakers echoed the urgency of tackling refinery inefficiencies through professional-driven solutions.
Immediate past chairman, Engr. Ojo Emmanuel Adedayo, MNSE, MNIMechE, MAutoEI, during an interview on the sidelines of the event, noted that Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports remains a direct consequence of failing to sustain refinery integrity.
He argued that mechanical engineers have the expertise to close this gap if adequately engaged.
“Our refineries must be maintained with precision and foresight. The know-how exists locally, but it must be matched with commitment from policymakers and investors,” he said.
Newly elected chairman, Engr. Basiru Oyekan, MNIMechE, pledged that under his leadership, the Kaduna Chapter will strengthen its role in offering practical solutions to industry challenges.
He promised to drive mentorship, build partnerships with industry stakeholders, and position engineers as a strong voice in Nigeria’s energy transition.
“Together, we will engineer a brighter future — not just for our chapter, but for Kaduna and Nigeria’s economy,” he said.
The AGM drew the participation of professionals from academia, industry, and public service, underscoring the growing recognition that engineering practice is central to Nigeria’s economic recovery.
With the new executive committee in place, members expressed confidence that the Kaduna Chapter will continue to amplify advocacy on refinery maintenance and other critical engineering issues.
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