Nigeria Oil Refining Summit 2026 to link upstream supply with downstream demand

Nigeria’s oil and gas industry will converge in Lagos in September for the third edition of the Nigeria Oil Refining Summit (NORS) 2026, with stakeholders expected to focus on strengthening the connection between crude oil supply and domestic refining demand.

The summit, scheduled for September 28–29, 2026, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, is being hosted by the Crude Oil Refinery-Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN), under the theme, “Refining for Value: Linking Upstream Supply to Downstream Demand.”

According to the organisers, the summit is designed to provide a platform for policymakers, chief executives, investors and other key players across the petroleum value chain to deliberate on the future of Nigeria’s refining industry and opportunities for investment.

The organisers said the event would focus on connecting the various segments of the petroleum value chain, particularly upstream crude oil producers and downstream refiners, marketers and traders.

The summit comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to consolidate recent developments in its refining sector, increase domestic petroleum product production and reduce dependence on imported refined products.

With new and rehabilitated refineries expected to play a greater role in meeting domestic fuel demand, the availability of crude feedstock has become a critical issue for the sustainability of Nigeria’s refining ambitions.

NORS 2026 is therefore expected to provide a forum for discussions around crude oil supply, refining capacity, investment, infrastructure, market access and the policies required to create a more integrated petroleum industry.

The organisers described the summit as a “premier platform connecting the entire petroleum value chain,” with participants expected to include upstream producers, refiners, marketers, traders, maritime and logistics companies, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors, equipment manufacturers, technology providers, investors, regulators and energy service companies.

The participation of stakeholders across these categories is expected to facilitate discussions on how Nigeria can maximise value from its crude oil resources by ensuring that a greater proportion of production is processed locally.

The summit is also expected to attract discussions on investment opportunities emerging from Nigeria’s evolving refining landscape, particularly as private-sector refineries expand their operations and existing government-owned facilities undergo rehabilitation.

Industry stakeholders have consistently identified adequate crude supply, efficient logistics, access to finance, infrastructure and a stable regulatory environment as essential to achieving sustainable refining operations in Nigeria.

The NORS 2026 organisers said the summit would bring together industry leaders to examine these issues and develop strategies capable of driving investment and creating value across the petroleum sector.

Among the sponsors and supporting organisations listed for the event are Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Titanium Oil Corporation, Waltersmith, Aradel Holdings, Africa Finance Corporation and TPT Shipbrokers, alongside other companies and industry organisations.

The event is being produced by Legend & Legacy, while CORAN is listed as the host organisation.

The organisers urged stakeholders throughout the petroleum value chain to participate in the summit, stressing the importance of collaboration among producers, refiners, investors, regulators, service providers and other industry players.

The summit’s central message – “Connecting the Petroleum Value Chain. Creating Value. Driving Investment” – reflects the growing emphasis on building a more integrated domestic oil and gas industry capable of supporting economic growth and attracting long-term capital.

For Nigeria, the success of its refining ambitions is increasingly tied not only to the availability of refining capacity but also to the ability of operators to secure reliable crude supplies and establish commercially viable links between producers and domestic refineries.

NORS 2026 is consequently expected to provide a significant platform for industry stakeholders to assess the opportunities and challenges associated with the country’s emerging refining ecosystem and chart a path towards greater domestic value creation.