By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Federal Ministry of Defence have agreed to strengthen collaboration on the protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure through a non-kinetic security framework aimed at enhancing production stability, community engagement and sustainable growth in the upstream petroleum sector.
The commitment was reached during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Ministry of Defence to the headquarters of the Commission in Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the agency’s longstanding partnership with security institutions had contributed significantly to the reduction of crude oil theft and the protection of critical oil and gas assets across the country.
According to her, the impact of the collaboration is already evident in Nigeria’s rising crude oil output.
“Today, we are benefiting from those efforts. Last month, we recorded production of nearly 1.8 million barrels per day throughout the month,” Eyesan stated.
She attributed the achievement to sustained investments in security measures, technology deployment and human capacity development, stressing that more must be done to guarantee production assurance as the country seeks to attract fresh investments into the upstream sector.
“As we look to the future, we desire to grow production and must have assurances that security threats can be effectively managed. We can only achieve this through stronger collaboration with security agencies and industry stakeholders,” she said.
Eyesan also emphasized the need for advanced technological solutions, including drone surveillance, to effectively monitor the vast network of oil and gas facilities across Nigeria.
She disclosed that NUPRC would work closely with industry operators to refine and promote the new security framework, while providing leadership in stakeholder coordination and the establishment of a governance structure to ensure its long-term sustainability.
Representing the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister, Major General Ekubi, said the Ministry was introducing a non-kinetic national security intervention model designed to foster stability in oil-producing communities and strengthen the country’s upstream petroleum industry.
He explained that sports-based youth engagement programmes would serve as a major component of the initiative, helping to address the root causes of insecurity and restiveness in host communities.
“One of the best ways to engage youths in oil-producing areas is through sports-based interventions,” Ekubi said.
He added that the programme would also incorporate structured activities for persons with disabilities, ensuring broader social inclusion.
The Ministry noted that the initiative aligns with the host community development provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and is expected to promote peace, improve community relations and create alternative opportunities for economic empowerment in oil-producing regions.
Industry stakeholders believe the renewed partnership between NUPRC and the Ministry of Defence could further strengthen efforts to curb oil theft, safeguard critical infrastructure and support Nigeria’s drive to increase crude oil production and revenue generation.
