Nigeria’s NNPC Nears 100% Pipeline Security, Ending Oil Theft Crisis

Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), delivered a goodwill message at the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit.

The summit, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration,” convened senior military leaders from across the continent. 

Representing the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima (GCON) joined chiefs of defence staff from various African nations alongside key dignitaries.

In his remarks, Ojulari highlighted NNPC Ltd.’s landmark success in combating crude oil theft through unprecedented collaboration with government security and intelligence agencies. 

According to him, this partnership has resulted in near-100% crude oil pipeline availability, reversing years of losses from theft and vandalism.

“NNPC Ltd. has prioritized safeguarding our national resources, and working hand-in-hand with our armed forces and intelligence community has yielded transformative results,” Ojulari stated. “This unprecedented progress demonstrates the power of collective action against criminal networks that undermine Africa’s economic growth.”

Ojulari stressed the need for African nations to deepen cross-border cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and joint operational frameworks to secure critical energy and infrastructure assets. He noted that securing such resources is integral not only to national prosperity but also to continental stability.

Reaffirming its stance through its official channels, NNPC Ltd. shared in a statement on its X account:

“NNPC Ltd. achieved near-100% crude oil pipeline availability through strategic collaboration with security agencies. We remain committed to working closely with Nigeria’s defense institutions and our continental partners to safeguard Africa’s energy security and advance shared prosperity.”

The summit concluded with a broad consensus that sustainable peace and regional security require stronger collaboration between national governments, armed forces, and key economic institutions. 

With its renewed pledge, NNPC Ltd. positions itself not just as an energy leader but as a partner in shaping Africa’s future security and prosperity.