Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria has recorded a significant reduction in oil theft and pipeline vandalism following a combination of security reforms, advanced surveillance technologies, and stronger stakeholder engagement, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has said.
Lokpobiri disclosed this during his presentation at the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Yenagoa Branch, themed “Securing the Future,” where he outlined efforts by the Federal Government to safeguard critical oil and gas infrastructure and improve the investment climate in the petroleum sector.
According to the minister, all policies, reforms, and Executive Orders introduced under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have been deliberately designed to create a more attractive environment for investors while ensuring the protection and sustainability of national energy assets.
“Every policy, reform, and Executive Order implemented under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the oil and gas sector has been directed toward creating an enabling environment for investors and other stakeholders, while ensuring the protection and sustainability of critical national assets,” Lokpobiri stated.
He explained that the government had adopted a comprehensive strategy that combines both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to tackle crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and pipeline vandalism, challenges that have historically undermined production levels and investor confidence in the sector.
“I highlighted the significant strides we have made in safeguarding the nation’s oil assets and pipeline infrastructure through strategic collaboration with private security companies and relevant stakeholders,” he tweeted on X.
The minister noted that the collaboration has strengthened surveillance operations, improved intelligence gathering, and enhanced rapid response capabilities across key oil-producing areas.
“I noted that by combining kinetic and non-kinetic measures, we have strengthened surveillance, improved intelligence gathering, and enhanced rapid response capabilities,” he added.
Lokpobiri stressed that host communities have a critical role to play in sustaining the gains recorded in protecting oil and gas assets, noting that production disruptions ultimately affect revenues accruing to communities, states, and the federation.
“Stakeholders, especially the Host Communities, need to take responsibility for protecting our national assets because when there is shortage in production level, it affects everyone, including what gets to the Host Communities, the State and other stakeholders,” he said.
According to him, the deployment of advanced monitoring technologies, coupled with deeper stakeholder engagement, has already started yielding positive results in reducing incidents of oil theft and sabotage.
“Through the deployment of advanced monitoring technologies and stronger stakeholder engagement, incidents of oil theft and pipeline vandalism have reduced significantly, contributing to improved production stability,” Lokpobiri stated.
He further noted that the security improvements are being complemented by ongoing infrastructure rehabilitation efforts and regulatory reforms aimed at providing certainty and confidence for investors operating in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
“These efforts, alongside infrastructure rehabilitation and regulatory certainty, are helping to position Nigeria as a secure and attractive destination for energy investment,” the minister added.
The renewed focus on asset protection comes as Nigeria seeks to boost crude oil production, increase sector investments, and maximise the economic benefits of its hydrocarbon resources amid growing global competition for energy capital.
