𝗨𝗞 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗣𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀 𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔,

29𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 2026.

A United Kingdom–based security consultant, Dr. (Chief) Oghene-Ovo Amurun, has called on the Federal Government to renew the pipeline surveillance contract currently handled by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), citing its significant impact on curbing crude oil theft and boosting Nigeria’s oil production.

In a press statement issued on Monday, March 23, 2026, in Asaba, Dr. Amurun commended the leadership of Government Oweizide Ekpomupolo, Chairman of TSSNL, for what he described as strategic and effective surveillance operations that have strengthened the protection of critical oil infrastructure across the Niger Delta.

He emphasized that the engagement of private pipeline surveillance firms like Tantita in August 2022 marked a turning point for Nigeria’s struggling oil sector. Prior to their appointment, the country’s crude oil production had plummeted drastically due to widespread pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.

According to him, Nigeria’s output had fallen to between 800,000 and 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2022, at times dropping as low as 637,000 bpd amid severe infrastructure breaches.

However, following the intervention of Tantita and other contractors, engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, production began to recover. Output rose to about 1.0 million bpd by late 2022 and further increased to between 1.4 and 1.5 million bpd.

Dr. Amurun noted that by 2025, Nigeria’s crude oil production had stabilized at approximately 1.5 to 1.6 million bpd, reflecting sustained improvements driven by enhanced surveillance and security coordination.

He highlighted that Tantita’s approach—anchored on collaboration with host communities and security agencies—has improved intelligence gathering, deterred illegal refining activities, and enabled swift detection of pipeline breaches.

The security expert also stressed that the continuity of such contracts is critical to achieving the Federal Government’s target of exceeding 2 million bpd in crude oil production.

He therefore appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize consistency in policy implementation by renewing the surveillance contract, warning that any disruption could reverse the gains recorded in recent years.

Dr. Amurun concluded that sustained investment in pipeline security remains essential for economic stability, youth employment, and lasting peace in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.