By Onyeanya Ebere
Senator Ned Nwoko, Chairman of the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, has called for the urgent deployment of advanced technology to curb crude oil theft in Nigeria, warning that the nation cannot continue to ignore the root causes and solutions to the menace.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday, Nwoko said the persistent theft of crude oil in the Niger Delta has dealt devastating blows to the nation’s economy, the environment, and internal security.
He emphasized that as a country dependent on oil revenue for budgetary funding and development, Nigeria must take bold steps to protect its oil assets.
He advocated the adoption of artificial intelligence-powered surveillance, including drones and predictive analytics, to monitor oil pipelines and installations across the country. Nwoko also called for a holistic security strategy, saying, “Oil theft thrives in insecurity. Parallel investment in regional peace and stability is crucial.”
He stressed the need to involve host communities in the oil and gas sector through meaningful infrastructure development, thereby fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Nwoko further urged the federal government to collaborate with local and international tech firms capable of delivering real-time monitoring and risk detection systems.
He insisted that beyond technology, institutional commitment and transparency are essential, and agencies like the NNPCL must be held accountable.
Citing the Saudi Aramco model, he recommended adopting a community-driven corporate social responsibility approach.
“If Nigeria adopts these strategies and embraces AI-driven innovation, we can reclaim control of our oil assets, meet our OPEC quota, and catalyse real economic development,” he said.
Reflecting on past efforts, Nwoko recalled how former NNPCL boss Mele Kyari, in 2022, promised to adopt Saudi Aramco’s model.
However, the senator lamented that Nigeria is still far behind that benchmark.
“We must stop pretending we do not know the cause or the cure of our problems. Let us be honest, patriotic, and intentional.
“We cannot continue with half-measures. Every meaningful step that can rescue this country from economic sabotage must be taken now,” he said.
Nwoko concluded by urging oil companies and the NNPCL to adopt world-class systems and strategies used by developed nations to secure their oil and gas infrastructure and ensure Nigeria’s progress is practical and not mythical.
