The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced plans to strengthen the security of the country's oil and gas infrastructure through the deployment of drone surveillance technology and enhanced collaboration with defence authorities.

The commission said the initiative is aimed at improving the monitoring of critical petroleum assets, combating crude oil theft, and sustaining recent gains in Nigeria's crude oil production.

Speaking during a strategic engagement with officials of the Federal Ministry of Defence in Abuja, NUPRC's Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said stronger cooperation between regulatory agencies, security institutions, industry operators, and host communities has played a key role in improving security across oil-producing areas.

According to her, the adoption of advanced drone surveillance systems will provide real-time monitoring of pipelines, flow stations, and other strategic installations, enabling faster detection and response to threats such as vandalism, illegal bunkering, and crude oil theft.

Eyesan noted that Nigeria's upstream sector has witnessed improvements in production levels in recent months, attributing the progress partly to enhanced security measures and increased stakeholder collaboration.

She stressed that the commission remains committed to leveraging technology and strategic partnerships to protect national oil assets and create a more stable environment for investment in the petroleum sector.

"The deployment of modern surveillance technology, including drones, will significantly improve our ability to monitor oil infrastructure and safeguard production facilities across the country," she said. The NUPRC boss further disclosed that the commission is working with relevant stakeholders to establish a sustainable security framework capable of supporting the Federal Government's drive to increase crude oil output and maximize revenue generation. Representatives of the Ministry of Defence reiterated their commitment to supporting efforts aimed at protecting oil and gas infrastructure.

They emphasized the importance of combining technology-driven security solutions with community engagement programmes designed to address the root causes of insecurity in oil-producing communities.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, describing it as a critical step toward reducing losses associated with crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, challenges that have continued to impact Nigeria's oil production and export capacity.

The latest initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to secure strategic national assets, attract investment into the upstream petroleum sector, and enhance energy security.