Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s crude oil production has climbed from below 1.2 million barrels per day to over 1.7 million bpd, with lawmakers and host community leaders attributing the rebound to intensified pipeline surveillance led by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
The endorsement came at a joint legislative retreat of the House of Representatives Committees on Host Communities and Public Petitions, held in Owerri with participation from the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) trustees across the Niger Delta.
Stakeholders said the sharp decline in oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal bunkering has boosted investor confidence, increased national revenue, and reinforced Nigeria’s standing within the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
In a keynote presentation, Prof. S. C. Dike described the surveillance contract awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in 2022 as a decisive shift in tackling crude oil theft.
“The pipeline surveillance model is unique. It combines private security expertise, community networks, ex-agitators, and coordination with the Navy and civil defence,” he said.
According to him, the approach succeeded where conventional security systems struggled, largely due to its reliance on local knowledge and community participation in securing vast pipeline networks across the Niger Delta’s difficult terrain.
“For years, oil theft persisted because those protecting the assets were not familiar with the terrain. This model leverages those who understand the creeks and waterways,” Dike added.
He revealed that the initiative has led to the discovery and dismantling of thousands of illegal tapping points and bunkering routes, saving billions of naira previously lost to crude theft.
Beyond security gains, the programme has also created employment opportunities for youths in oil-producing communities, reducing restiveness and encouraging local ownership in protecting national assets.
Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, Hon. Dekor Dumnamene Robinson, said the impact extends to environmental restoration and improved living conditions in affected communities.
“The reduction in vandalism has also cut down oil spills and illegal refining, easing environmental degradation that has plagued host communities for decades,” he stated.
Lawmakers and HOSTCOM leaders called on the Federal Government and NNPCL to extend Tantita’s contract on a long-term basis, warning that short-term renewals could disrupt progress and reverse recent gains in crude production.
Industry stakeholders noted that Nigeria previously lost up to 400,000 barrels of crude daily to theft, significantly impacting revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
They argued that the current recovery highlights the effectiveness of community-driven security frameworks in safeguarding critical oil infrastructure.
“The progress we are seeing today is deliberate. It reflects a system built on intelligence, local engagement, and sustained collaboration,” a participant noted.
The retreat concluded with a strong vote of confidence in Tantita’s operations, alongside calls for sustained investment and policy support to maintain production growth in Nigeria’s oil sector.
