NNPCL Boss Links Crude Oil Theft to International Syndicates

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has linked the scourge of crude oil theft in the country to international criminal syndicates, describing the menace as a transnational crime rather than just a local challenge.

Ojulari, who spoke at a regional security forum in Abuja, said recent intelligence has confirmed that oil theft networks extend beyond Nigeria’s borders and involve sophisticated actors who collaborate with local operatives to siphon crude oil.

He noted that these syndicates exploit weaknesses in security and governance structures to smuggle Nigeria’s crude into international markets.

Despite the challenges, the NNPCL boss reported significant progress. He disclosed that nearly all crude oil now reaches export terminals, compared to only about 30 percent three years ago, when pipeline vandalism and theft were at their peak.

This improvement, he explained, is the result of coordinated efforts between the NNPCL, security agencies, and intelligence units, which have mounted stronger surveillance and enforcement operations across oil-producing regions.

The turnaround is already having positive effects on Nigeria’s economic outlook. According to Ojulari, investor confidence is rebounding, and production levels are expected to rise, with projections showing output could surpass 2.5 million barrels per day in 2026—the highest since 2005.

However, Ojulari warned that the fight is far from over. He stressed that tackling international syndicates will require broader collaboration, including intelligence sharing and enforcement partnerships with other countries.

Without this, he cautioned, the networks could regroup and undermine Nigeria’s recent gains.

For Africa’s largest oil producer, the statement underscores both progress and risk: while the near-elimination of pipeline theft marks a major victory, the shadow of transnational syndicates suggests that Nigeria’s oil industry remains a target for global criminal interests.