Nigeria’s Oil Output Rises to 1.4mbpd as Tantita Credits Security Collaboration, Community Engagement

Abuja — Nigeria’s crude oil production has rebounded to about 1.4 million barrels per day, thanks largely to improved security coordination and active community participation, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Kestin Pondi, has said.

Speaking at the Joint Petroleum Parliamentary Roundtable at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Pondi attributed the steady recovery in output to strategic collaboration between security agencies and host communities.
He noted that when Tantita was awarded the contract to secure critical oil infrastructure in 2022, Nigeria’s oil production had dropped significantly to about 1.1 million barrels per day, including condensates.

“We were given this responsibility at a very critical time, and we remain grateful to Mr. President for the opportunity. Without this platform, our capacity and what we can achieve would not have been fully appreciated,” Pondi said.

Community-Based Security Driving Results
Pondi emphasized that community inclusion remains the backbone of Tantita’s success in securing oil assets across the Niger Delta.

“At Tantita, we do not protect assets from the people; we protect the assets with the people. Bringing in those from the creeks, who understand the terrain, has given us better results,” he stated.

According to him, Nigeria’s production decline began earlier, falling from about 1.8 million barrels per day in 2020 to 1.6 million in 2021, before hitting its lowest point in 2022.

Sacrifices and Security Synergy
The Tantita MD acknowledged the sacrifices made by security personnel, revealing that lives have been lost in the course of protecting national assets.
He said the company has worked closely with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, and Civil Defence Corps, stressing that the progress recorded is a product of multi-agency collaboration.

“It has not been an easy journey. We have lost soldiers, we have lost our personnel, and we have lost civil defence officers,” he said.

More Investment Needed to Boost Output
Despite the gains, Pondi maintained that Nigeria still has the potential to significantly increase crude oil production if more investments are injected into the sector and operational challenges are addressed.

“We can still do better. There are still barriers, and we need to invest more to fully achieve the President’s agenda of increased production,” he added.

Warning Against Fragmentation
Pondi warned that attempts to fragment the existing security structure could reverse progress made so far.

“There is no way we could have succeeded without involving every community that is a stakeholder in this operation. Fragmentation of the process will only push us backwards,” he cautioned.

Stakeholders Seek Sustainable Strategy
The roundtable brought together lawmakers, industry operators, and security stakeholders to explore sustainable strategies for boosting oil production and safeguarding critical infrastructure.

Tantita also used the platform to present technical insights into its field operations, key challenges, and its roadmap for sustaining the current gains in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.