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The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has said that the reforms, policies and Executive Orders introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration are strengthening asset security and creating a more attractive environment for investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Lokpobiri made the remarks during the plenary session of the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch, themed “Securing the Future.”
According to the minister, the Federal Government has made significant progress in protecting the nation’s critical oil assets and pipeline infrastructure through coordinated efforts involving government institutions, security agencies, private security firms and other stakeholders.
He explained that the administration has adopted a comprehensive security framework that combines both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to tackle threats to oil production and infrastructure.
“We have adopted a comprehensive security framework that combines both kinetic and non-kinetic measures. Through this approach, we have strengthened surveillance, improved intelligence gathering, enhanced rapid response capabilities, and significantly reduced incidents of oil theft and pipeline vandalism,” Lokpobiri said.
The minister noted that safeguarding national assets requires collective responsibility and emphasized the critical role of host communities in protecting oil and gas infrastructure.
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He warned that disruptions caused by vandalism and crude oil theft have far-reaching consequences for all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, producing states, operating companies and host communities.
“When production is disrupted through vandalism or theft, everyone loses — the Federal Government, the producing States, the operating companies, and the host communities themselves. This is why community participation and stakeholder collaboration are indispensable to securing our energy infrastructure,” he stated.
Lokpobiri further disclosed that the deployment of advanced monitoring technologies, including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)-enabled systems, improved surveillance mechanisms, ongoing infrastructure rehabilitation and regulatory reforms, has contributed to greater operational stability across the sector.
He maintained that the administration’s commitment to strengthening security, improving transparency and sustaining reforms is positioning Nigeria as a competitive and secure destination for global energy investments.
According to him, the positive outcomes of the reforms are already boosting investor confidence and reinforcing the country’s efforts to increase production, enhance revenue generation and unlock the full potential of its petroleum resources.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to continue implementing measures aimed at protecting national assets while fostering a business-friendly environment that supports long-term growth and investment in the energy sector.
