The Federal Government has announced that it has met the oil and gas sector revenue benchmark for 2025, marking the first time in several years that the target has been achieved. The development was disclosed by Dr. Dare Adekanmbi, spokesperson for the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who credited the milestone to improved stability in the Niger Delta and effective protection of government investments.
According to Adekanmbi, the sustained peace in oil-producing areas has significantly boosted crude production and revenue generation. He attributed this progress to the combined efforts of security agencies and the role of companies such as Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), which is tasked with safeguarding vital energy infrastructure, including pipelines.
The announcement was made during the August edition of PINL’s monthly stakeholders’ review meeting with Trans Niger Pipeline host communities across Rivers, Abia, and Imo states. The meeting, held in Port Harcourt, focused on community relations, pipeline security, and progress updates in the region.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Akpos Meze, General Manager of Community and Stakeholders Relations at PINL, confirmed that the company recorded zero infractions in the past month, a performance he said contributed directly to increased national oil output. He explained that such achievements are the result of consistent application of proven strategies, including enhanced safety measures for surveillance teams, prompt payment of staff, and rapid resolution of disputes within host communities.
“These combined efforts have reduced downtime and strengthened trust between stakeholders,” Meze said, stressing that the collaborative approach has created a more stable operating environment for oil production.
Meze further outlined PINL’s recent interventions, which included addressing an oil spill at Yorla in Kpean community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, as well as uncovering and shutting down illegal bunkering sites in Umubule and Oyigbo communities. He also used the meeting to update stakeholders on the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, which focus on supporting youth and women in the host communities.
He reiterated PINL’s dedication to ensuring sustainable energy security in Nigeria, aligning its operations with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to sustainable energy security. We have a shared responsibility to rescue our economy from further bleeding, and this requires that all hands remain on deck,” he said. Meze called for constructive feedback from stakeholders on ways to sustain and improve the company’s performance in tackling pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and environmental degradation.
Also speaking at the stakeholders’ session, Engr. Akponine Omojevwe, Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor of the Project Monitoring Office at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), underscored the importance of collaboration between host communities and PINL. He noted that the achievements in revenue and security could only be sustained if communities actively supported the protection of oil assets.
“We want to emphasize that there must be collaboration between PINL and the communities. PINL has gone the extra mile by providing scholarships for host communities and ensuring that areas of operation benefit from their activities. It is important that we support them in this task of securing the pipelines and not destroy their equipment,” Omojevwe urged.
Meanwhile, the partnership between PINL and the Special Prosecution Task Force (SPT) of the Federal Government has also yielded results, with the joint operations leading to the shutdown of two illegal refining sites in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State. The move is part of ongoing efforts to curb oil theft and environmental damage in the region.
The Federal Government’s confirmation of meeting the 2025 oil and gas revenue benchmark is seen as a major boost for Nigeria’s economic outlook, given that the sector remains the country’s largest source of revenue and foreign exchange. Analysts say sustaining this success will depend on continued peace in oil-producing regions, effective collaboration with host communities, and consistent enforcement against illegal activities.
For now, the government and its partners, including PINL and NNPCL, are focused on consolidating gains while building stronger partnerships with local communities. The achievement is being described as a positive signal to investors and stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, highlighting the benefits of coordinated security, accountability, and community engagement.
