KEY POINTS
- Nigeria lost over $12.74 million to pipeline vandalism between 2018 and 2023.
- The House of Representatives has formed a committee to assess pipeline security.
- NNPCL uncovered 19 illegal pipeline connections and 58 refineries in January.
The House of Representatives has resolved to establish an ad-hoc committee to investigate the condition and security of Nigeria’s oil and gas pipelines.
The decision follows the adoption of a motion by Rep. Mohammed Shehu (APC-Kano State) and 14 other lawmakers during Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja.
Shehu emphasized that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains the backbone of the national economy, contributing about 9 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generating over 90 percent of export revenues.
However, the sector operates at risk due to pipeline vandalism and operational failures.
According to Shehu, between 2018 and 2023, Nigeria recorded more than 7,000 incidents of pipeline vandalism, resulting in a staggering loss of about $12.74 million worth of crude oil.
Highlighting recent incidents, Shehu noted that in October 2024, crude oil supply to Shell’s Forcados Terminal was reduced by 50 percent due to sabotage, causing delays in loading and the risk of force majeure declarations.
He also referenced a January 2025 oil spill from Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary that worsened environmental degradation and economic hardship in the Niger Delta.
“These recurrent breaches have caused severe environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods, and significant national revenue losses. This further strains Nigeria’s economic and security framework,” Shehu said.
Pipeline security concerns grow amid rising vandalism
Shehu emphasized his worry about pipeline damage occurrences that create substantial harm for local populations.
He observed that the Niger Delta continues to experience the detrimental effects of oil spillage from decades that has resulted in ruined farmlands, polluted water resources and major health threats.
In February 2025, another oil spill was reported near Port Harcourt due to an overflow during pipeline flushing operations. This incident underscored the persistent challenges in pipeline management and the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has stepped up efforts to combat crude oil theft, uncovering 19 illegal pipeline connections and 58 illegal refineries in January alone.
However, Shehu emphasized that the deterioration of Nigeria’s pipeline network poses a severe threat to the country’s energy security and undermines prospects for sustainable economic development.
“The deteriorating state of the oil and gas pipeline infrastructure is not just an energy concern but a threat to national security and economic stability,” Shehu warned.
Committee to propose sustainable security measures
The House has mandated the newly formed committee to investigate the root causes and impacts of frequent pipeline vandalism and operational failures.
According to Vanguard, the committee will also assess the effectiveness of existing security measures and recommend sustainable strategies to protect Nigeria’s petroleum infrastructure.
Part of the committee’s responsibilities will include reviewing past and present government interventions aimed at securing the country’s pipelines.
They also expect them to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including host communities and civil society organizations, to develop comprehensive and long-lasting solutions.
The committee must submit its findings within four weeks for further legislative action.
Lawmakers expressed hope that this initiative would lead to more robust pipeline protection strategies and mitigate the long-standing issue of oil theft and environmental degradation in the country.
As the committee begins its work, the call for collective responsibility and better security measures is stronger than ever.
The stability of Nigeria’s economy and the well-being of communities affected by pipeline incidents hang in the balance.
