The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, says the menace of oil theft that once crippled Nigeria’s crude production has been brought under significant control, with cases now “nearly wiped out.”
Speaking during an industry briefing in Abuja, Kyari noted that the combined efforts of security agencies, community surveillance networks, and advanced monitoring technology have drastically reduced pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering, which previously cost the country billions of dollars in lost revenue annually.
He explained that while isolated incidents of theft still occur, the scale has dropped remarkably compared to past years when daily crude losses reached as high as 400,000 barrels. According to him, the success of the joint crackdown is already reflecting in higher oil production figures, putting Nigeria closer to meeting its OPEC production quota.
Kyari also emphasized that the company is committed to sustaining transparency and accountability in its operations, assuring Nigerians that the fight against crude oil theft is a top priority for the NNPC.
Industry experts say that if maintained, the achievement could boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, strengthen investor confidence, and improve government revenue for critical infrastructure and social spending.
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