Nigeria’s efforts to secure its oil infrastructure are paying off, with pipeline and terminal receipts of crude oil now approaching full capacity, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bashir Ojulari, made the disclosure on Monday during the opening session of the Africa Chief of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja.
Ojulari revealed that crude oil deliveries, which had previously slumped to as low as 20–30% due to rampant theft, vandalism, and operational disruptions, have now rebounded to nearly 100%, thanks to strengthened security measures.
“Today, I can proudly report to you all that our pipelines and terminals’ receipt of crude oil, which was somewhere as low as 20% to 30%, we are attaining close to 100% due to the support of the security forces and the intelligence agencies,” Ojulari stated.
The NNPCL boss credited the turnaround to enhanced collaboration between the oil company, security forces, and intelligence agencies, which has tightened surveillance along critical infrastructure and reduced losses from theft.
Oil theft and pipeline sabotage have long undermined Nigeria’s petroleum sector, costing billions in lost revenue and frustrating efforts to meet production quotas under OPEC. The latest figures suggest that security interventions may be restoring confidence in the sector, with implications for both national revenue and foreign exchange stability.
Industry watchers say sustained security vigilance will be crucial to maintaining the gains, as Nigeria continues to grapple with the dual challenge of safeguarding its oil infrastructure and diversifying its economy.
