NNPC GCEO Bayo Ojulari Demands Continental and Global Crackdown on Oil Pirates Exploiting Weak Borders

Bayo Ojulari has sounded a stern warning that crude oil theft in Africa is no longer a domestic menace but a global crime network. According to the NNPCL GCEO, the scale of operations has expanded so rapidly that highly organized international cartels now dominate the trade, exploiting weaknesses in the continent’s maritime and border security systems.

Bayo Ojulari emphasized that this shift from localized bunkering to coordinated global syndicates signals an urgent security emergency. He argued that Africa cannot treat oil theft as an isolated economic sabotage but must now recognize it as a transnational crime requiring joint regional and global interventions.

Bayo Ojulari Links Energy Security to National Defence

Bayo Ojulari declared that energy security in Africa is inseparable from military vigilance and strategic intelligence. He insisted that the oil sector cannot thrive without the active involvement of defence institutions, stressing that crude oil pipelines and export terminals are as critical as national borders.

Ojulari further explained that past failures in combating oil theft stemmed from governments treating security as an optional component of oil operations. He argued that without military reinforcement, the continent’s energy wealth will remain vulnerable to criminal networks that drain revenues meant for development.

Bayo Ojulari Credits Military for Sector Recovery

Bayo Ojulari commended the Nigerian military and intelligence services for their relentless fight against oil theft, which he described as a turning point for the industry. He revealed that sustained operations have led to a measurable recovery in oil production, helping stabilize the economy despite persistent external pressures.

Ojulari maintained that the gains recorded are not accidental but a direct outcome of deliberate collaboration between energy regulators and the armed forces. He suggested that this model of cooperation must be institutionalized across African states if the continent truly intends to safeguard its natural resources.

Bayo Ojulari Calls for Continental Unity Against Oil Pirates

Ojulari argued that Africa cannot confront international oil theft syndicates with fragmented national responses. He urged continental unity through platforms like the African Union, emphasizing that oil smuggling routes cut across borders and require joint enforcement actions.

Bayo Ojulari added that without collective pressure, international cartels will continue to exploit weak jurisdictions, undermining revenue and fuelling corruption. He declared that a continental security framework, backed by intelligence sharing, is the only sustainable solution to dismantle these networks.

Bayo Ojulari Warns of Economic Collapse if Theft Persists

Ojulari warned that unchecked oil theft could trigger long-term economic collapse in resource-dependent nations. He noted that every stolen barrel of crude oil translates to lost revenues for education, healthcare, and infrastructure, leaving African governments perpetually cash-strapped.

Ojulari insisted that the financial hemorrhage caused by crude oil theft undermines currency stability, foreign reserves, and investor confidence. He argued that unless urgent steps are taken, oil-rich nations may ironically sink deeper into poverty despite their natural wealth.

Ojulari Urges Global Collaboration Beyond Africa

Ojulari stressed that while Africa must strengthen its internal defences, the fight against oil theft cannot be won without global cooperation. He revealed that stolen crude is laundered through complex international supply chains involving ports, traders, and financial institutions outside Africa.

Bayo Ojulari therefore appealed to the international community to tighten monitoring systems, enforce stricter maritime surveillance, and prosecute foreign actors enabling the illicit trade. He concluded that only a combined African and global offensive can dismantle the multi-billion-dollar oil theft industry.