Oil War: 300 Lawmakers Back Ojulari, Reject Moves Against Tantita

In a strong show of legislative backing for Nigeria’s oil security architecture, over 300 members of the National Assembly have thrown their weight behind the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, endorsing his collaboration with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in the fight against crude oil theft.

The lawmakers also firmly rejected moves to alter the current surveillance structure, warning that any attempt to split the contract among multiple operators could undermine recent gains in securing the nation’s oil infrastructure.

The position followed a Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee Roundtable on pipeline security, where federal lawmakers, security agencies and key stakeholders assessed the effectiveness of existing surveillance arrangements.

At the session, legislators passed a vote of confidence in Ojulari, commending his leadership and alignment with Tantita, which they said has delivered measurable results in curbing crude theft and pipeline vandalism across the Niger Delta and other oil-producing regions.

They described the partnership as pragmatic and results-driven, citing improved crude oil output and a significant reduction in pipeline breaches since Tantita’s engagement.

According to the lawmakers, the current framework has strengthened monitoring of critical oil assets, improved response time to threats, and enhanced intelligence gathering—key factors in dismantling organised oil theft networks.

The Assembly stressed that sustaining these gains requires continuity, cautioning that disruptions to the existing model could reverse progress already recorded.

Lawmakers specifically rejected proposals to divide the surveillance contract, arguing that such a move would weaken coordination, create accountability gaps and embolden criminal elements operating in the sector.

Instead, they called for the consolidation of the current structure, which they said has proven effective in stabilising oil production and reducing losses from sabotage.

In addition to backing Ojulari, the National Assembly acknowledged ongoing reforms within the NNPCL aimed at improving transparency, operational efficiency and production capacity.

Stakeholders at the roundtable, including security officials, aligned with the lawmakers’ position, noting that the collaboration between public institutions and private operators has significantly curtailed illegal bunkering activities and helped restore investor confidence in the sector.

The Assembly further declared Tantita a “critical national asset” and called for the renewal of its surveillance contract, citing its track record in reducing pipeline vandalism.

Petitions filed against the company were also reviewed and dismissed after lawmakers found no credible evidence to support the allegations.

Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said all claims against the firm were thoroughly scrutinised and found to be unsubstantiated.

“There is no credible evidence to sustain any of the allegations. Accordingly, all complaints against Tantita are hereby dismissed,” he said.

Lawmakers reiterated that stability remains essential to consolidating progress in the oil sector.

Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe warned against disrupting a system already yielding results, while Hon. Prince Okojie cautioned that fragmenting the contract could erode accountability and efficiency.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, acknowledged improvements recorded under the current security framework.

Data presented at the hearing showed rising oil production levels alongside a decline in pipeline vandalism—developments stakeholders described as critical to Nigeria’s economic recovery.