Tuesday, August 26, 2025 - The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) says it is attaining close to 100 per cent crude oil production capacity following strengthened collaboration with security and intelligence agencies.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Bayo
Ojulari, made this known at the opening of the maiden African Chiefs of Defence
Staff Summit, on Monday in Abuja.
Ojulari said the turnaround was a product of deliberate and
sustained partnership between the oil and gas industry and the Nigerian defence
and security institutions.
“Not too long ago, our crude oil receipts through pipelines
and terminals had dropped dangerously low, sometimes to as little as 20 to 30
per cent.
“That was a period when pipeline vandalism, crude theft,
illegal refineries and sabotage became rampant.
“Today, I can proudly report to you all that our production
and receipts are now attaining close to 100 per cent.
“Thanks to the professionalism, discipline and collaborative
spirit of our security and intelligence agencies, particularly in stabilising
the Niger Delta,” he said.
Ojulari explained that the company had directly witnessed
the impact of military operations, intelligence-driven interventions and joint
patrols in securing critical energy infrastructure.
“These successes would not have been possible without the
immense and intentional efforts of our government, the armed forces and our
intelligence community.
“Their sacrifices have created the enabling environment for
oil and gas operations to thrive once again,” he said
Ojulari also stressed that threats to energy infrastructure
were not confined to local actors
According to him, oil theft and its attendant illegal
activities are by no means purely localised.
He added that they involved sophisticated international
syndicates that exploit gaps in the national, regional and continental security
architecture to conduct illicit operations.
He therefore called for greater regional and continental
cooperation, noting that energy security must be treated as a shared strategic
priority.
“It is therefore imperative that forums such as this summit
are encouraged, with a view to strengthen strategic, tactical and operational
collaboration within the continent.
“Together we can safeguard Africa’s resources, reinforce
peace, and create an enabling environment for prosperity for our people,” he
added.
Ojulari reaffirmed NNPCL’s commitment to supporting the
military and intelligence agencies, stressing that the oil and gas sector in
Nigeria would continue to complement continental defence initiatives.
“At NNPC Limited, we hold this partnership in the highest
regard.
“We stand ready to complement and cooperate with defence and
security institutions, not just for Nigeria’s sake, but for Africa’s collective
growth and stability,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit
with the theme, “combating contemporary threats to regional peace and security
in Africa: the role of strategic defence collaboration” recorded attendance
from 36 countries.
President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President
Kashim Shettima, while the Deputy UN Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed,
delivered the keynote address.
Leaders of the African Union and ECOWAS, ministers,
lawmakers, as well as formers and serving defence and service chiefs, were also
in attendance.
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