Nigeria Steps Up Fight Against Oil Theft to Boost Production
Nigeria is intensifying its efforts to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta, seeking to increase production to 3 million barrels per day (bpd) and address long-standing energy insecurity. Currently producing 1.8 million bpd, oil exports account for 80% of the nation’s revenue.
Security forces, led by Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, are deploying drones, helicopters, and water patrols to monitor the region. These measures target illegal refineries and theft operations, which cost Nigeria millions daily. In 2022, losses reached $23 million per day, with $1.43 billion lost in the first quarter of 2023 alone.
President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the urgency of securing Nigeria’s energy sector. “It is shameful that we are still generating only 4.5 gigawatts of electricity,” he stated, linking the fight against oil theft to the broader goal of improving energy infrastructure.
Experts highlight deep-rooted challenges. Jon Marks of African Energy notes that oil theft has become institutionalized, involving local gangs, politicians, and even military personnel. Prominent voices like businessman Tony Elumelu have called for transparency, urging security agencies to identify those behind the theft.
The Tinubu administration’s military reforms and efforts to disrupt illegal operations represent a critical step, but experts warn that upsetting entrenched power structures tied to oil theft could limit progress. Despite these challenges, Nigeria’s success in curbing theft is crucial to revitalizing its economy and stabilizing energy production.