Nigeria has made remarkable progress in combating crude oil theft, achieving a 50.2% reduction in losses from January to July 2025, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The country lost 2.04 million barrels during this period, averaging 9,600 barrels daily—the lowest since 2009, when daily losses were 8,500 barrels. This marks a significant improvement from 2024’s total loss of 4.1 million barrels (11,300 barrels daily) and a 94.57% drop from the peak of 37.6 million barrels in 2021.
The NUPRC credits this success to enhanced regulatory measures, collaboration with security agencies, and community involvement. A key initiative has been the metering audit program, which ensures accurate tracking of oil production and exports, minimizing discrepancies. The Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 has also strengthened the regulatory framework, contributing to the steady decline in losses over recent years. For context, losses fell from 20.9 million barrels in 2022 to 4.3 million in 2023, and further to 4.1 million in 2024.
To sustain this progress, NUPRC, led by Chief Executive Gbenga Komolafe, has approved 37 new crude oil evacuation routes to curb theft. The commission employs both kinetic strategies, such as partnerships with security forces and local communities to protect oil infrastructure, and non-kinetic approaches, including stricter regulations and system audits. “This balanced strategy has significantly reduced oil losses, marking a turning point for Nigeria’s upstream sector,” the NUPRC stated. These efforts reflect a robust commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s oil industry, a critical component of its economy.
