An oil pipeline surveillance contractor , Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (PINL), has highlighted the role of communities as strategic partners in safeguarding Nigeria’s position as Africa’s energy hub by protecting oil assets.
It said sustained collaboration among host communities, security agencies and government institutions had significantly improved the protection of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), the Eastern Gas Network and other critical national assets.
Speaking at the company’s Stakeholders Engagement Forum, weekend in Yenagoa, PINL’s General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, said partnering with communities in safeguarding critical energy infrastructure from vandalism, crude oil theft and sabotage was crucial to achieving the dream of becoming Africa’s energy hub.
He said Nigeria’s oil and gas industry has continued to record remarkable milestones, pointing at the Heads of State of ECOWAS Member States signing of an Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) during the ECOWAS Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone as a major breakthrough.
He said the agreement establishes the sovereign framework for one of Africa’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects, a nearly 6,900-kilometre gas pipeline stretching from Nigeria to Morocco through thirteen Atlantic coastal countries, with interconnections to the landlocked Sahel nations.
According to him, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is designed to transport 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, strengthening regional energy security, supporting industrialization, creating thousands of jobs, expanding electricity generation, and connecting West Africa to Morocco and European energy markets.
He said the project carries a very important message: world-class energy infrastructure can only thrive where pipelines are secure, communities are peaceful, and stakeholders work together.
Mezeh said significant progress has been made on major gas infrastructure projects, including the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline, which is at 98% completion, with final tie-in activities ongoing ahead of First Gas expected in August
He noted that the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline has advanced to 94% completion, while the ANOH Gas Processing Plant has been successfully commissioned, further strengthening Nigeria’s domestic gas infrastructure.
According to him, the confidence being demonstrated by investors is equally reflected in the performance of NNPC Limited.
His words, ‘according to the June 2026 Financial and Operational Report, NNPC Limited recorded a Profit After Tax of ?535 billion in June, representing an increase of almost 16% over the ?462 billion recorded in May.
‘Monthly revenue stood at approximately ?4.39 trillion, while statutory contributions to the Federation Account between January and June reached ?6.286 trillion, further demonstrating the critical role of the petroleum industry in supporting Nigeria’s economy.
‘Although crude oil production experienced a slight decline to 1.72 million barrels per day due to operational and technical challenges, natural gas production continued its upward trajectory, increasing to approximately 7.84 billion standard cubic feet per day.’
He said the figures demonstrate resilience despite the challenging operational realities and further reinforce why protecting our pipelines remains a national priority.
Mezeh said incidents of sabotage , attempted vandalism and equipment failures were recorded across the Trans Niger Pipeline and the Eastern Gas Network corridor, adding that such incidents reinforce the need for stronger surveillance, timely intelligence sharing and sustained collaboration among all stakeholders.
He said suspects linked to the incidents were arrested and affected facilities repaired.