NASS Backs Tantita, Dismisses Petitions as Oil Output Hits 1.8mbpd

The National Assembly (NASS) has dismissed three petitions challenging the pipeline surveillance contract and passed a vote of confidence on Tantita Security Services, security agencies, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for their roles in safeguarding the country’s oil assets and boosting production.
The endorsement follows a notable increase in Nigeria’s crude oil output, which has risen to approximately 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) as of April, up from about 900,000 barrels per day recorded in 2022 when the surveillance initiative was introduced.
The resolution was adopted after a motion by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Henry Okojie, during a one-day parliamentary roundtable focused on pipeline security and strategies to curb crude oil theft.
Joint committees on Petroleum Resources credited the surveillance framework with significantly reducing pipeline vandalism, curbing crude oil theft, and enhancing national revenue. They noted that the collaboration between Tantita Security Services, government security agencies, and host communities has strengthened the protection of critical oil infrastructure and improved crude deliveries to export terminals.
Okojie highlighted that the multi-stakeholder approach has helped dismantle illegal tapping points and stabilize production levels across key oil-producing regions.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, underscored the urgency of sustaining gains in the oil sector amid global energy uncertainties driven by geopolitical tensions, including the Middle East crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He stressed that crude oil remains central to global energy demand, particularly in transportation.
Tajudeen explained that the surveillance contract became necessary due to persistent challenges in the Niger Delta, where weak enforcement, economic hardship, and agitation had fueled widespread vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal refining. At its peak, Nigeria reportedly lost between 10 and 30 percent of its crude output to theft, resulting in significant revenue losses and weakening investor confidence.
He noted that the Federal Government’s strategy of engaging private security firms and local communities has proven effective, particularly in fostering grassroots participation in protecting oil infrastructure. The initiative has also generated employment for thousands of youths in the Niger Delta, many of whom were previously involved in illegal activities.
Despite the progress, the Speaker acknowledged ongoing concerns around transparency, accountability, and the overall efficiency of certain surveillance mechanisms.
Reaffirming the legislature’s commitment to sectoral reforms, Tajudeen pointed to key legal frameworks such as the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which impose stricter penalties for vandalism and promote community involvement. Under the PIA, host communities risk forfeiting benefits if vandalism occurs within their areas, thereby encouraging collective responsibility.
He added that the 10th National Assembly has intensified oversight of the PIA’s implementation, conducted investigative hearings on crude oil theft, and approved funding to strengthen pipeline security.
Describing oil theft as both an economic and national security threat, Tajudeen called for sustained, coordinated action among stakeholders. He noted that the roundtable provided an opportunity to consolidate existing gains, address gaps, and reinforce transparency, accountability, and community engagement.
Stakeholders at the session commended the partnership between Tantita Security Services, security agencies, and host communities, noting its impact on improved surveillance and increased production. They urged the Federal Government to sustain the initiative while strengthening accountability measures.
“We must position Nigeria as a reliable energy supplier in the global market,” Tajudeen said. “The world is seeking energy security, and Nigeria must present itself as a credible alternative. We cannot afford internal sabotage. Nigeria is securing its assets, stabilising production, and remains open for business.”