Improved pipeline security is strengthening investor confidence and supporting major oil and gas infrastructure projects across Nigeria, according to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).
Speaking at the company’s August 2026 Stakeholders Engagement Forum, General Manager for Community and Stakeholders Relations, Akpos Mezeh, said sustained collaboration among host communities, security agencies and government institutions has significantly enhanced the protection of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), the Eastern Gas Network and other critical national energy assets.
According to Mezeh, the improved security environment is helping to create favourable conditions for new investments as Nigeria positions itself as Africa’s leading energy hub.
He noted that the progress coincides with the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), a proposed 6,900-kilometre pipeline expected to transport 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Nigeria to Morocco through 13 West African coastal countries.
The project is being jointly promoted by NNPC Limited and Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM).
“World-class energy infrastructure can only thrive where pipelines are secure, communities are peaceful and stakeholders work together,” Mezeh said.
Mezeh also highlighted **NNPC Limited>’s June 2026 operational performance, which showed a Profit After Tax of ₦535 billion, representing a 16 percent increase from ₦462 billion recorded in May.
The national oil company also reported revenue of approximately ₦4.39 trillion, while statutory remittances to the Federation Account reached ₦6.286 trillion during the first half of the year.
Although crude oil production declined slightly to 1.72 million barrels per day, natural gas production increased to about 7.84 billion standard cubic feet per day, reflecting the country’s growing emphasis on gas development.
Mezeh disclosed that Nigeria’s strategic gas infrastructure projects are nearing completion, with the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben Gas Pipeline reaching 98 percent completion ahead of first gas expected this month.
He added that the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline has also reached 94 percent completion, marking another milestone in the country’s gas expansion programme.
According to him, NNPC recently secured more than $20 billion in Gas Sale and Purchase Agreements covering over two billion standard cubic feet of gas daily for both liquefied natural gas exports and domestic industrial supply, including supply partnerships involving the Dangote Refinery.
Despite the positive outlook, Mezeh acknowledged that attempted pipeline sabotage, vandalism and equipment failures were still recorded in some operational areas over the past month. He, however, said swift interventions by security personnel and community stakeholders ensured repairs were carried out promptly while suspects were arrested.
Also speaking, Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, NNPC Project Monitoring Office, Akponime Omojevwhe, commended host communities for supporting pipeline surveillance.
He revealed that two operational zones recorded zero security incidents between January and June, urging other communities to adopt similar levels of cooperation by providing timely intelligence to security agencies.
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Chairman of the South-South Monarchs Forum, King Sergeant Awuse, praised PINL’s community engagement strategy, saying pipeline vandalism has reduced significantly since the company assumed responsibility for protecting the critical infrastructure.
Awuse urged the Federal Government to sustain its support for PINL, noting that improved pipeline security has contributed to higher oil production, increased government revenue and greater investor confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Women leader from Ohaji-Egbema, **Violet Asor>, also commended the company’s scholarship, empowerment and welfare programmes while calling for greater inclusion of women and increased employment opportunities for women and youths in host communities.