Dare Babalola
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has credited enhanced security architecture across oil pipelines in the Niger Delta for a significant rebound in Nigeria’s crude oil production.
NNPCL stated that output has risen steadily over the past three years.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this on Wednesday at a parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security held at the National Assembly Complex.
Ojulari revealed that national crude oil production climbed from a historic low of 960,000 barrels per day in 2022 to an average of 1.71 million barrels per day, with peak production reaching 1.84 million barrels per day in 2025.
He attributed the improvement to the implementation of a comprehensive security framework designed to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
“This success is not accidental. It is the outcome of an integrated energy security model that combines legislative and executive policy alignment, actionable intelligence, kinetic deployment capabilities, regulatory oversight, industry cooperation, and community-embedded surveillance mechanisms,” Ojulari said.
According to him, the coordinated approach has helped address longstanding challenges in the oil sector, particularly crude oil theft and pipeline sabotage, which previously hampered production levels and discouraged investment.
He added that the renewed stability in pipeline operations has begun to restore investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, positioning the country for sustained growth.
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented by Jimoh Ibrahim, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among relevant agencies and stakeholders to consolidate the gains recorded.
Similarly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, called for a thorough assessment of progress made so far to ensure fairness and equity in the implementation of pipeline security initiatives.
The roundtable, convened by the Joint Senate and House Committees on Petroleum Resources, brought together key stakeholders, including security chiefs, government officials, regulators, and private sector players.
Among those in attendance were representatives of the nation’s security architecture, including the armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies, alongside private security firms engaged in pipeline surveillance.
The engagement formed part of ongoing legislative efforts to strengthen oversight and ensure sustainable growth in Nigeria’s oil production through improved infrastructure protection.
