Gas
Nigeria launches new security standard operating procedure for oil and gas
Nigeria has introduced a standardized framework to coordinate security, intelligence, and operations across the petroleum sector.
Key points
- National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu launched the Standard Operating Procedure on 12 October.
- NNPC Limited reported production above 1.7 million barrels per day alongside major asset recovery figures.
- The framework outlines strict rules for surveillance, arrests, investigations, and community engagement.
What happened
Nigeria launched a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on 12 October for government security agencies, regulators, and industry stakeholders within the oil and gas sector, according to Premium Times Nigeria. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu stated that the framework aims to curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal refining by aligning institutional roles and operational discipline.
Why it matters
Fuel exports accounted for 85.9 percent of Nigeria's merchandise exports in 2025, according to World Bank figures, underscoring the critical importance of hydrocarbon security to the national economy. At the launch, NNPC Limited Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Bayo Ojulari noted that production had recovered to over 1.7 million barrels per day, up from a low of approximately 950,000 barrels per day in August 2022. Ojulari also reported the deactivation of over 10,000 illegal refining sites and the recovery of more than 2.4 million barrels of stolen crude.
What comes next
The new SOP details procedures for joint patrols, drone operations, evidence handling, and suspect rights. Ojulari proposed a 60-day review period for stakeholders to align internal processes, while officials emphasized the need for rigorous training, institutional accountability, and transparent public communication to sustain the sector's recovery.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Gas is the flexible backbone of many grids and the designated transition fuel in many national plans, from LNG trade to domestic LPG and CNG. Supply security and pricing drive both power reliability and emissions.
72.9% of electricity in Nigeria came from gas in 2024Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
