James Okafor: Ojulari's Strategic Moves to Combat Nigeria’s Oil Theft and Ensure Steady Recovery

Table of Contents

1. Impact of Crude Oil Theft
2. Ojulari's Assumption of Office
3. Ojulari's Leadership Approach
4. Restoration of Pipeline Availability
5. Importance of Institutional Consistency
6. Crude Security as a Commercial Imperative
7. Collaboration in Anti-Theft Strategy
8. Conclusion

For much of the last decade, crude oil theft has represented one of the most significant threats to Nigeria’s economy, draining public revenue, undermining investor confidence, and damaging the reputation of the country’s oil sector. By the time Bayo Ojulari became the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited in April 2025, the most severe phase of the crisis had started to diminish, thanks to a blend of security measures and policy adjustments. The primary challenge facing his administration was to solidify those fragile gains and avert a regression under new leadership.

Eight months into his term, Ojulari’s strategy has been characterized by continuity and reinforcement rather than disruption. Instead of dismantling the existing frameworks for crude protection, his leadership has concentrated on enhancing coordination, bolstering accountability, and integrating pipeline security into NNPC’s overall commercial strategy. This consistency has resulted in one of the most significant achievements of 2025: the restoration of nearly 100 percent availability across Nigeria’s major crude oil pipelines.

This accomplishment sharply contrasts with the circumstances just a few years ago. During the peak of oil theft in 2022, many critical pipelines were barely functional. Terminal recovery rates plummeted, exports were frequently interrupted, and upstream investment in onshore and shallow-water assets slowed due to escalating risks. The country lost billions of dollars each year, not only through stolen crude but also due to deferred production and reputational harm.

By the time Ojulari assumed office, coordinated efforts involving security agencies, local communities, and private contractors had begun to stabilize the situation. What was essential next was institutional consistency. Under his leadership, NNPC Ltd declared full availability of key export routes, including the Trans Niger, Trans Forcados, Trans Escravos, and Trans Ramos pipelines—vital arteries that connect Nigeria’s oil fields directly to global markets and support national revenue streams. Industry observers characterize the turnaround not as a sudden breakthrough but as the result of sustained coordination that Ojulari has intentionally maintained.

A defining characteristic of this phase has been the redefinition of crude security as a commercial necessity rather than merely a law-enforcement issue. In line with NNPC’s transformation under the Petroleum Industry Act, pipeline losses are now viewed as direct impacts on corporate performance. By integrating security outcomes into operational and profitability metrics, Ojulari has strengthened accountability across subsidiaries and partner operators, positioning crude protection as a fundamental business function.

Equally significant has been the ongoing focus on collaboration. Rather than relying solely on force, NNPC’s anti-theft strategy has adopted a multi-faceted approach that combines security agencies, private contractors, technology-enabled monitoring, and community engagement. This has enhanced early detection, deterred large-scale theft, and addressed some of the local factors contributing to vandalism.

In an industry where leadership transitions often disrupt progress, Ojulari’s consolidation of Nigeria’s anti-theft recovery emphasizes the importance of stability. By ensuring pipeline integrity and embedding security within commercial practices, his administration is helping to secure not just barrels of crude but also the credibility and future sustainability of Nigeria’s oil sector.

James Okafor, a political and energy analyst, writes from Abuja.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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