𝗡𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗨𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗮, 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗻 𝗣𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

8𝘁𝗵, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹, 2026.

More than 300 lawmakers of Nigeria’s National Assembly have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, affirming the company’s role in pipeline surveillance and the fight against crude oil theft.

The endorsement followed a joint roundtable involving Senate and House of Representatives committees on petroleum resources, where legislators, security officials, and industry stakeholders assessed the state of pipeline security nationwide.

Lawmakers described Tantita as a “critical national asset,” citing notable improvements in oil production and a significant reduction in pipeline vandalism since the firm was engaged. They also rejected calls to decentralise the surveillance framework or split the contract among multiple operators, warning that such moves could reverse the gains recorded.

Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, dismissed petitions filed against the company, stating that they lacked substance.

“There is no credible evidence to sustain any of the allegations. After a comprehensive review, all complaints against Tantita have been dismissed,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe cautioned against altering the current structure, noting that stability remains key to sustaining progress.

“Disrupting a system that is already delivering results would be counterproductive. Our responsibility is to ensure stability and sustain the gains already recorded,” he said.

Also speaking, Hon. Prince Okojie warned that fragmenting the surveillance contract could weaken efficiency and accountability.

“We must strengthen what works, not dilute it. Fragmenting this arrangement could erode coordination and undermine the progress made in securing our pipelines,” he stated.

Officials of the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) also acknowledged improvements under the existing framework.

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, attributed the progress to enhanced collaboration among stakeholders.

“What we are seeing today is the outcome of improved collaboration and a focused strategy. The reduction in crude oil theft and vandalism is a positive development for the country,” he said.

Similarly, NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, underscored the importance of continuity in sustaining output gains.

“The current surveillance framework has contributed significantly to increased oil output. Sustaining this progress requires continuity and consistency in execution,” he noted.

The outcome of the hearing signals strong legislative backing for the current pipeline surveillance arrangement, with lawmakers stressing the need for a coordinated and sustained approach to safeguarding Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.

“This is about safeguarding Nigeria’s economic backbone with a system that has proven effective,” a lawmaker said at the close of proceedings.