Nigeria’s NNPC Hails Near-Elimination Of Pipeline Theft In Major Boost To Oil Sector.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced a significant milestone in its fight against crude oil theft, declaring that pipeline theft across its network has been nearly eradicated. Speaking at a regional security forum in Abuja on 25 August 2025, NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari credited the achievement to robust collaboration with Nigeria’s defence and intelligence agencies, particularly in the Niger Delta, where most of the country’s oil infrastructure is located.
Ojulari revealed that pipeline and terminal receipts have reached nearly 100%, a stark contrast to three years ago when up to 70% of crude oil transported through certain pipelines was lost to theft and sabotage. “Today, I can proudly report that our pipeline and terminal receipts are attaining close to 100%,” he stated, highlighting the success of coordinated efforts involving military, intelligence services, and private security firms since 2021. These measures have tackled what Ojulari described as “sophisticated international syndicates” exploiting regional security gaps.
The breakthrough is poised to restore billions in lost revenue, which previously crippled Nigeria’s finances and deterred international investment. The country’s oil production, which plummeted to around 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2016 due to militancy and vandalism, is now projected to exceed 2.5 million bpd by next year, a level last achieved in 2005. This resurgence is expected to bolster Nigeria’s position as Africa’s top oil producer and attract renewed investor confidence.
The NNPC’s success builds on earlier efforts, including the dismantling of 240 illegal refineries and pipeline connections in the Niger Delta in a single week in 2023, alongside the introduction of monitoring technologies like the Crude Theft Monitoring Applications. The involvement of private security firms, such as those led by former Niger Delta militant Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), has also played a pivotal role in securing pipelines and uncovering illegal operations.
This development has been met with optimism across Nigeria’s oil sector, with stakeholders hopeful that sustained security measures will prevent a resurgence of theft. The NNPC’s commitment to maintaining this progress, coupled with government support, signals a brighter future for Nigeria’s economy, heavily reliant on oil revenue.
