By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage– The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Federal Ministry of Defence have agreed to strengthen collaboration on the protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure through non-kinetic security interventions aimed at boosting production, fostering community engagement and sustaining investment in the upstream sector.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Ministry of Defence to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the agency’s longstanding partnership with security agencies has played a critical role in combating crude oil theft and safeguarding strategic energy assets across the country.
She noted that the collaborative efforts have yielded positive results, with Nigeria recording crude oil production of nearly 1.8 million barrels per day throughout the previous month.
“Today, we are benefiting from those efforts. Last month, we recorded production of nearly 1.8 million barrels per day throughout the month,” Eyesan said.
According to her, sustained investments in security, technology deployment and human capital development have contributed significantly to the improvement in production levels.
Eyesan stressed the need to further strengthen production assurance as the country seeks to increase crude oil output and attract new investments into the upstream petroleum industry.
“As we look to the future, we desire to grow production and must have assurances that security threats can be effectively managed. We can only achieve this through stronger collaboration with security agencies and industry stakeholders,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of leveraging advanced technologies, including drone surveillance systems, to effectively monitor the vast network of oil and gas facilities across the country.
The NUPRC boss disclosed that the Commission would work closely with industry operators to refine and implement the proposed security framework, while providing leadership in stakeholder coordination and governance to ensure its long-term sustainability.
Representing the Minister of Defence, Major General Ekubi, who spoke on behalf of the Minister, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), said the Ministry was introducing a non-kinetic national security intervention model designed to promote stability in oil-producing communities and support the growth of the upstream petroleum sector.
He explained that youth-focused sports initiatives would form a major component of the strategy, helping to address the underlying social and economic factors contributing to insecurity in host communities.
“One of the best ways to engage youths in oil-producing areas is through sports-based interventions,” he said, noting that the programme would also include structured activities for persons with disabilities.
The Ministry said the initiative aligns with the host community development objectives contained in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and is expected to strengthen community relations, promote peace and provide alternative opportunities for youth empowerment in oil-producing areas.
The partnership underscores growing efforts by government institutions to complement conventional security operations with community-driven approaches aimed at protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure and sustaining Nigeria’s energy production targets.
