Atiku Slams FG Over Reported ₦17.5tn Pipeline Security Spending, Demands Transparency

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the Federal Government over what he described as an alarming and unjustifiable₦17.5 trillion expenditure on pipeline protection and related security operations.

The figure, which surfaced in public discourse following revelations about massive energy-security spending, has drawn widespread scrutiny from economists, civil society groups and opposition figures Atiku, in a strongly worded reaction, said the Federal Government must explain how such an “astronomical and suspicious” amount was allocated for securing pipelines at a time when oil theft, vandalism and revenue leakages remain rampant across Nigeria’s oil-producing corridors. He questioned how security spending could rise to such levels without measurable improvements in crude-oil protection or transparency in contract awards The former vice president also faulted what he described as the administration’s habit of veiling major financial decisions from Nigerians, warning that such practices deepen mistrust and weaken public confidence in government institutions. He argued that no democratic government should approve multi-trillion-naira security expenditures without publishing full details of the contractors involved, the scope of work, and verification of results. Atiku called for a full forensic audit of all pipeline surveillance contracts, especially those awarded over the past three years, insisting that Nigerians deserve a clear explanation of how tax revenues and national oil earnings are being used at a time of rising poverty and economic stress. He urged the National Assembly to initiate an open investigation to determine whether the reported ₦17.5tn figure is accurate, inflated, or linked to undisclosed liabilities in the oil and gas security architecture. Public policy analysts have echoed Atiku’s concerns, saying the reported amount far exceeds historical spending on pipeline security and appears inconsistent with Nigeria’s current production levels. Several watchdog groups have also demanded that the government release a full breakdown of all security-related payments in the petroleum sector. As the controversy intensifies, Nigerians await an official clarification from the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) regarding the true nature of the ₦17.5 trillion expenditure, the contracts involved, and whether the spending aligns with statutory procurement rules and the Petroleum Industry Act. For now, Atiku’s criticism has renewed calls for accountability, with stakeholders insisting that the government must address the issue openly to prevent further erosion of public trust.