The House of Representatives has resolved to constitute an ad-hoc committee to investigate the state of oil and gas pipelines across Nigeria.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Mohammed Shehu (APC-Kano) and 14 other lawmakers during Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja.
Shehu highlighted that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains the backbone of the national economy, contributing about nine percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generating over 90 percent of export revenues. He stressed that the effective transportation of petroleum resources depends on the integrity of the country’s pipeline infrastructure.
Between 2018 and 2023, Nigeria recorded over 7,000 incidents of pipeline vandalism, resulting in the loss of $12.74 million worth of crude oil. In October 2024, crude oil supply to Shell’s Forcados Terminal dropped by 50 percent due to sabotage, causing loading delays and the risk of force majeure declarations.
Shehu further recalled that in January 2025, a major oil spill from a Shell-owned facility devastated the Niger Delta, worsening pollution and economic hardship for host communities. Another spill in February 2025 near Port Harcourt, caused by an overflow during pipeline flushing operations, underscored persistent risks in pipeline management.
The lawmaker warned that recurrent pipeline breaches have led to extensive environmental damage, loss of livelihoods, and significant national revenue losses, further straining the country’s economy and security. He noted that the Niger Delta has suffered from decades of oil spills, resulting in health hazards, farmland destruction, and water contamination, exacerbating poverty in the region.
Shehu commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for its intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft, citing its discovery of 19 illegal pipeline connections and 58 illegal refineries in a single week in January 2025. However, he cautioned that the continued deterioration of oil and gas pipeline networks threatens Nigeria’s energy security and sustainable economic development.
The House mandated the committee to investigate the causes and impacts of frequent vandalism and operational failures in the sector. It will also assess the effectiveness of existing security and maintenance measures, as well as past and present government interventions to protect pipelines.
Additionally, the committee will engage stakeholders, including host communities and civil society organizations, to recommend sustainable solutions. It is expected to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
