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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎For performing to expectations in the task of protecting Nigeria’s oil assets and boosting crude oil production, Tantita Security Services Limited, Tuesday, earned a vote of confidence from the National Assembly (NASS) even as three petitions challenging the pipeline surveillance contract awarded the company were dismissed.
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‎The endorsement comes as Nigeria’s oil output rises to about 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) as of April, up from around 900,000 barrels per day recorded in 2022 when the surveillance contract was introduced.
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‎The NASS resolution followed a motion moved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Henry Okojie, during a one-day parliamentary roundtable on pipeline security and efforts to curb crude oil theft.
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‎The joint committees on Petroleum Resources said the surveillance arrangement has significantly reduced pipeline vandalism, curtailed crude oil theft, and increased national revenue. They noted that the initiative has been instrumental in securing critical oil infrastructure, with Tantita and security agencies making measurable progress in safeguarding pipelines and other oil facilities.
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‎Okojie emphasized that the collaboration between private security firms, host communities, and government security agencies has helped dismantle several illegal tapping points, improved production levels, and enhanced the delivery of crude to export terminals.
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‎Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, stressed the need for sustained efforts to secure Nigeria’s oil sector amid growing global energy uncertainty.
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‎He pointed to geopolitical tensions, including the Middle East crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as factors contributing to volatility in global energy markets. Crude oil, he noted, remains a dominant energy source, particularly in the transportation sector.
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‎Tajudeen explained that the pipeline surveillance contract became necessary due to long-standing challenges in the Niger Delta, where weak enforcement, agitation, and economic hardship fueled pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal refining.
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‎At one point, he explained, Nigeria was losing between 10 and 30 percent of its crude oil production to theft, costing the country billions of dollars annually and undermining her credibility as a reliable oil producer.
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‎He said the Federal Government’s decision to engage private security firms and host communities was aimed at strengthening the protection of oil facilities, stressing that community participation has proven critical to the success recorded so far.
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‎Tajudeen also highlighted the social impact of the initiative, noting that it has created jobs for thousands of youths in the Niger Delta, many of whom were previously involved in agitation and illegal activities.
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‎Despite the progress, he acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in the areas of transparency, accountability, and the effectiveness of certain surveillance frameworks.
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‎He reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to reforming the oil sector through legislation, oversight, and funding support. Tajudeen cited the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as key legal frameworks that introduced stricter penalties for vandalism and enhanced community participation.
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‎He explained that under the PIA, host communities risk losing benefits if vandalism occurs within their areas, thereby promoting a sense of shared responsibility in protecting oil infrastructure.
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‎Tajudeen added that the 10th National Assembly has intensified oversight on the implementation of the PIA, conducted investigative hearings on oil theft, and approved funding for pipeline security.
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‎He stressed that crude oil theft should be treated not only as an economic crime but also as a national security threat requiring coordinated action.
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‎The Speaker described the roundtable as an opportunity to consolidate gains from the surveillance contract, address existing gaps, and strengthen transparency, accountability, and community engagement in protecting Nigeria’s oil assets.
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‎Stakeholders at the roundtable also commended the collaboration between Tantita Security Services, security agencies, and host communities, noting that the partnership has strengthened surveillance across key oil facilities in the Niger Delta and contributed to improved crude production. They urged the Federal Government to sustain the initiative while enhancing transparency and accountability mechanisms to consolidate the gains recorded in the fight against crude oil theft.
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‎“We must position Nigeria as a reliable energy supplier in the global market,” Tajudeen said. “The world is searching for energy security, and Nigeria must present itself as a credible alternative. We cannot afford internal sabotage. Our message is clear: Nigeria is securing its assets, stabilizing production, and remains open for business.”
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎To deepen public understanding of the National Single Window (NSW), the Federal Government’s flagship trade facilitation initiative, an anti-corruption group, Media Anti-Corruption Initiatives (MACI), in conjunction with Hynek Media, is set to hold a one-day enlightenment seminar in Lagos on the theme “National Single Window: Strategies to Avert Failure”.
‎To feature also are sub-themes which include Transparency in Single Window Project – A Key to Sustainability  and
‎Inter-Agency Rival-Free Collaboration for NSW Success.
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‎Billed for April 15, 2026, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa GRA, the seminar brings together policymakers, regulators, private sector leaders and civil society to discuss what experts describe as tamper-proof strategies for the effective implementation of the NSW.
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‎As stated in a release by Funso Olojo and Pastor John Iwori, secretary and media/publicity chief of the NGO respectively, the seminar will be chaired by Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju, Chairman of the Customs Consultative Committee, with Hon. Kingsley Igwe, Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), as Co-Chairman.
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‎Other high-profile participants expected include Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Customs Comptroller -General as guest of honour, Tola Fakolade, Director, National Single Window (Special Guest of Honour) ,  Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, MD, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)  and Dr. Dayo Mobereola, DG, NIMASA. Others are  Dr. Pius Akutah, ES/CEO, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) , Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, Acting MD, NIWA  and
‎Mrs. Adesuwa Ladoja, MD, Lagos Free Trade Zone .
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‎The NSW is designed to streamline and centralize importation and exportation processes as well as transit documentation in order to reduce duplication while enhancing transparency.
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‎Projections are that the initiative could cut transaction costs by up to 25% and boost government revenue by as much as 20 %.
‎Event Highlights will feature insights from Customs controllers, freight forwarders’ associations, indigenous terminal operators, and regulators, alongside perspectives on the Lagos Free Zone Green Channel initiative.
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‎Organizers say the seminar will provide a rare opportunity to align government agencies, private operators, and civil society around a shared vision for a seamless trade ecosystem.
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‎However, experts warn that Nigeria’s history of reform failures underscore the need for robust implementation safeguards.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎A presidential nod to commence the implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) has been granted the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).
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‎Disclosing this in Lagos, Thursday, Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah confirmed that already work is in progress to consolidate the procurement processes needed.
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‎Dr Akutah was speaking during the Ministerial Management Retreat and the 2026 first quarter stakeholders’ engagement.
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‎“We have already obtained approval from the President to proceed with the procurement process, and that process is ongoing,” Akutah said.
‎He explained that while the Nigerian Ports Authority is spearheading the deployment of the Port Community System (PCS), the NSC has been mandated to drive the ICTN, a complementary initiative aimed at enhancing cargo tracking and trade transparency.
‎Akutah acknowledged the troubled history of the ICTN in Nigeria, describing its past implementation attempts as “checkered,” but expressed confidence that the current administration is determined to avoid previous pitfalls.
‎According to him, the minister is taking deliberate steps to ensure that the project is executed seamlessly and does not suffer the repeated suspensions that hampered earlier efforts.
‎“The Minister is taking all the necessary steps to ensure that the implementation under his leadership will not be suspended,” he added.
‎He further revealed that the Council is intensifying efforts to resolve outstanding operational and stakeholder concerns ahead of the full rollout, expected before the end of 2026.
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‎When fully operational, he assured, the ICTN is expected to significantly improve cargo visibility while strengthening regulations.
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‎Speaking at the event which featured the signing of the traditional performance bonds between the Minister and agencies under him, the  Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola warned heads of agencies that performance would no longer be evaluated by intentions but by verifiable results.
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‎Dr  Oyetola  emphasised that all Departments and Agencies under the Ministry must remain firmly focused on delivering tangible results.  These agencies include the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron. Others are the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
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‎Performance bonds signed at the retreat, the Minister explained, were binding commitments that would be rigorously monitored.
‎“These are not ceremonial documents. They are binding commitments. Accountability will not be optional,” he declared.
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