Nwoko Urges Nigeria to Tackle Oil Theft with Technology and Community Inclusion 

Senator Ned Nwoko

Senator Ned Nwoko, Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, has called for the urgent adoption of advanced technology to combat oil theft in Nigeria. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, he stressed that Nigeria’s reliance on oil revenue demands that its crude oil resources be treated as critical national assets. 

According to him, Nigeria continues to suffer huge economic losses, environmental degradation, and rising insecurity due to crude oil theft, particularly in the Niger Delta region. 

AI, Drones, and Tech Partnerships as the Way Forward 

Nwoko proposed the use of Artificial Intelligence-powered surveillance, including drones, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics, to protect Nigeria’s pipelines and oil infrastructure. 

He emphasized the need for Nigeria to collaborate with both local and international tech firms that have the capacity to deliver real-time risk detection systems. “We must actively engage global and local tech companies with proven capacity to deliver real-time monitoring and risk detection,” he said. 

Community Involvement and Regional Security Key to Success 

Senator Nwoko also stressed that host communities must be fully involved in oil and gas operations. He recommended adopting Saudi Arabia’s community engagement strategy, which focuses on social responsibility and infrastructure development for locals. 

“Parallel investment in regional peace and stability is crucial,” he noted, adding that oil theft thrives in insecure environments. 

“It’s time to stop looking away. We must be intentional, patriotic, and honest. We must emulate nations whose progress is not mythical but practical.” – Senator Ned Nwoko 

Institutional Transparency and Leadership Commitment Needed 

Nwoko urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other stakeholders to embrace transparency and be held accountable. He recalled how, in 2022, former NNPCL GMD Mele Kyari said Nigeria was working toward adopting a Saudi Aramco-style model to fight oil theft—yet progress has been slow.  

Nwoko called for patriotic leadership and decisive action, urging Nigerians to stop pretending not to know the root of the country’s oil theft crisis. “Let us do what is right for Nigeria, for now and for the future,” he concluded.