Nigeria’s crude oil pipeline and terminal receipts have nearly reached 100% due to enhanced security measures, according to Bayo Ojulari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. Speaking at the 2025 African Chief of Defence Staff Summit, Ojulari attributed the significant improvement to collaboration between security agencies and intelligence bodies. This development marks a substantial increase from the previous low of 30% terminal receipts, which were severely impacted by crude theft in oil-producing regions.
The Nigerian government has been working to address the issue of crude theft, which has hindered the country’s ability to meet its production targets. Nigeria’s 2025 national budget is based on a crude oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day and an oil price of $75 per barrel. However, the country has struggled to attain this production level due to insecurity and crude theft in the Niger Delta region.
Ojulari emphasized that oil theft is not only a local issue but also involves international cartels that exploit security gaps. He stressed the need for African governments to adopt a holistic approach to addressing this menace. The NNPC Limited is committed to supporting intelligence and security agencies to combat crude theft and other illegal activities in the oil and gas sector.
The latest crude production statistics from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) indicate a significant growth in Nigeria’s oil output, with an average of 1.71 million barrels per day in July 2025. This improvement is a testament to the effectiveness of the enhanced security measures and collaboration between stakeholders.
The NNPC Limited has reiterated its commitment to collaborating with military and intelligence agencies to ensure the security of the oil and gas sector. This cooperation is crucial in reducing the incidence of sabotage, vandalism, and crude theft, ultimately contributing to the prosperity of the Nigerian people and the African continent as a whole. By working together, African countries can safeguard their resources, reinforce peace, and create an enabling environment for economic growth and development.
