The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) have agreed to strengthen their partnership to protect the country’s critical oil and gas infrastructure. This commitment was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke to NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari in Abuja. Both organisations recognize the strategic importance of securing pipelines, flow stations, offshore platforms and other energy installations.
Air Marshal Aneke highlighted the role of technology and intelligence—particularly expanded surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities—in proactive threat detection and rapid response. He emphasized that closer alignment between NAF operations and NNPC priorities would ensure an uninterrupted energy supply, increased production and overall economic resilience. The partnership aims to enhance productivity, reduce revenue losses and support national development.
The NAF has already made significant progress in curbing oil theft in coordination with sister services and security agencies. According to Bayo Ojulari, the collaboration is timely under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate for NNPC to increase investment and productivity. NNPC has committed to joint initiatives, including intelligence sharing, operational planning and the deployment of modern security technologies to protect vulnerable assets.
The deepened cooperation is expected to safeguard national resources and advance Nigeria’s broader development objectives. It will strengthen coastal and maritime security while countering threats from insurgents and criminal networks. The NAF has reassured NNPC of its continued support, underscoring the importance of protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure. With the economy heavily reliant on oil and gas exports, the protection of these assets is crucial for national development, making the partnership a significant step toward addressing sector challenges and promoting economic growth.
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