Stakeholders Back $30bn–$50bn Offshore Investment Outlook, Say Oil Asset Security Key to Growth
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry have welcomed the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) projection that the country could attract between $30 billion and $50 billion in offshore investments from 2026 to 2030.
The NUPRC said the investment pipeline would be driven by 22 major offshore projects expected to increase crude oil production, create jobs, expand energy infrastructure and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.
Industry stakeholders, however, stressed that achieving the projected investment inflow would require a stable operating environment, particularly in the Niger Delta, as well as sustained protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure.
They said effective pipeline surveillance and the protection of national oil assets, including through the operations of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), would be important to maintaining investor confidence and ensuring uninterrupted production.
The NUPRC attributed the improved investment outlook to reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), greater transparency in licensing and faster approval processes.
Since 2024, the regulator said it had approved more than $57 billion worth of Field Development Plans, with several projects already advancing towards Final Investment Decisions.
The commission also said preparations for the 2026 licensing round were underway as part of efforts to attract additional investment into the upstream sector.
The planned projects are expected to support the Federal Government’s target of raising crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million barrels per day by 2030.
Security crucial to investment
President-General of the Niger Delta Progressive Alliance, Nse Victor Udoh, said unlocking the full economic value of Nigeria’s oil resources would require peace and stability across the Niger Delta.
He described the region as the source of a significant portion of the country’s oil wealth and said the protection of pipelines and other critical infrastructure remained essential.
Udoh linked this responsibility to the Federal Government’s engagement of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, led by High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, to provide security for oil assets in the region.
According to him, effective pipeline surveillance could contribute to creating the stable environment required to attract the $30 billion to $50 billion in projected offshore investments.
Tantita works alongside other security agencies to protect oil infrastructure and support efforts to maintain peace in oil-producing communities.
Security incidents decline
Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) project indicated that violent incidents in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone declined by 20.9 per cent between 2023 and 2025, while fatalities linked to such incidents fell by 8.3 per cent during the same period.
The violent events tracked included attacks on civilians, battles involving authorities and armed groups, protests, riots, strategic developments and explosions or remote violence.
The South-East recorded a larger 26.9 per cent decline in violent incidents, although fatalities increased by 8.3 per cent.
In the South-West, incidents declined by 14.1 per cent between 2023 and 2025, while fatalities increased by 12.21 per cent.
The North-West recorded a significantly different trend, with violent incidents rising by 127.9 per cent and fatalities increasing by 99.1 per cent during the period.
Stakeholders have attributed part of the improved security situation in the Niger Delta to sustained pipeline surveillance operations.
Tantita adopts technology-driven surveillance
As part of efforts to strengthen its operations, Tantita recently contracted US-based Textron Systems to supply three Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 vertical take-off and landing uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
The agreement provides for the delivery of three aircraft designed to enhance surveillance and security operations around Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.
The systems are capable of vertical take-off and landing and do not require conventional runways, making them suitable for surveillance operations in difficult terrain.
The contract also includes options for training and additional aircraft as Tantita expands its surveillance capabilities.
David Phillips, Senior Vice President of Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron Systems, described the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 as a reliable autonomous platform capable of significantly strengthening Tantita’s security operations.
Stakeholders highlight economic benefits
Udoh said pipeline surveillance had helped shift the approach to oil infrastructure protection from short-term crisis response towards long-term planning.
He argued that securing pipelines was fundamental to the entire petroleum value chain because disruptions in crude transportation could affect production, refining, exports and government revenue.
According to him, sustained monitoring and rapid-response systems had helped reduce pipeline breaches and illegal oil tapping, contributing to improved crude production.
He said more predictable crude flows would also allow refineries to plan feedstock supplies more effectively, enable exporters to meet contractual obligations and provide investors with clearer risk assessments.
“Asset protection, in this context, is not a supporting activity. It is a precondition for economic order,” he said.
He added that greater stability in oil production could improve government budget planning, infrastructure development and long-term investment decisions.
Community leaders back continued surveillance
Traditional rulers and community leaders in the Niger Delta have also called for continued support for Tantita following a vote of confidence in the company by the National Assembly.
President-General of the Isoko Development Union, Christopher Akpotu, commended the Senate and House of Representatives joint committee for dismissing petitions against the company.
He urged stakeholders in the region to focus on the economic opportunities created by a more stable oil industry rather than allowing disputes to undermine development.
Similarly, President-General of the Ughelli Descendants Union, Sam Akpemegi, said security had improved since Tantita began operating in the area.
He said the company had combined visible security measures with intelligence-driven operations across several communities.
The Odiologbo of Ofagbe Kingdom, Ogaga Ikpoku, also supported the National Assembly’s position, describing it as beneficial to peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
Ikpoku said improved protection of oil assets could produce environmental as well as economic benefits, particularly by reducing illegal refining and pipeline vandalism.
According to him, illegal refining and pipeline sabotage had contributed to polluted waterways, damaged farmlands and insecurity in several communities.
He said sustained surveillance and the dismantling of illegal refining sites could help restore the environment while creating a more stable atmosphere for economic activity.
With Nigeria targeting billions of dollars in new offshore investments over the next four years, stakeholders said maintaining security, improving regulatory certainty and ensuring reliable oil production would be critical to turning the NUPRC’s investment projection into reality.
