Nigeria's crude oil production has seen a substantial rise, averaging 1.71 million barrels per day, a significant recovery from historic lows recorded in 2022. This surge is largely credited to improved pipeline security and intensified efforts to curb oil theft, as stated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).
Bashir Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, revealed these figures at a parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security held at the National Assembly in Abuja. He noted that national crude production increased from approximately 960,000 barrels per day in 2022 to the current average, reaching a peak of 1.84 million barrels per day in 2025.
Ojulari attributed this growth to an integrated energy security framework designed to protect oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta. This framework combines policy coordination, intelligence gathering, security operations, regulatory oversight, industry collaboration, and community-based surveillance.
However, the fight against oil theft and vandalism continues to evolve. Vandals have reportedly upgraded their operations, deploying surveillance cameras in forests and operational zones to monitor security operatives. Warrendi Enisuoh, Tantita Security Service executive director of operations and technical services, also disclosed that these criminal groups have acquired missile launchers capable of targeting aircraft.
In response to these escalating threats, dozens of protesters under the Coalition of Civil Society for Economic Protection marched to the National Assembly. They held placards and chanted solidarity songs, demanding stronger pipeline security and an end to oil bunkering.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly joint committees on petroleum resources have been actively discussing these issues. The committees dismissed various petitions challenging existing pipeline surveillance contracts and passed a vote of confidence in Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, national security agencies, and the NNPC Ltd for their roles in restoring oil production.
Henry Okojie, House committee on petroleum resources (midstream) chairman, moved the motion for the vote of confidence, which was endorsed by over 300 lawmakers. Ikenga Ugochinyere, House committee on petroleum resources (downstream) chairman, stated that all allegations against Tantita were subjected to detailed scrutiny and found to be unsubstantiated.
Jarigbe Jarigbe, Senate committee on petroleum resources (downstream) chairman, emphasized the importance of continuity in sustaining progress in the sector, stating that disrupting a system already delivering results would be counterproductive.
The NNPC has previously highlighted oil theft as a major obstacle to achieving the nation's production target of 2 million barrels per day. In 2022 alone, the company reported losing approximately 470,000 barrels per day of crude oil, valued at about $700 million monthly, due to theft.
The parliamentary roundtable also saw presentations from top security officials, including the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, and heads of various security agencies. The NNPC reiterated its commitment to strengthening partnerships and sustaining security interventions to support production growth and long-term stability in the sector.
