Defence Minister drives Niger Delta collaboration towards increased oil production

Christopher Gwabin Musa, Nigeria’s minister of defence, met with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry on Monday in a bid to strengthen security around energy infrastructure and drive collaboration toward boosting the nation’s crude oil production.

The engagement, which took place at the headquarters of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt on Monday, 29 June 2026, focused on charting a new course to strengthen security around critical national assets and foster closer collaboration between security agencies and industry operators.

Musa underscored the strategic importance of the oil and gas sector to Nigeria’s economy, stressing that increased crude oil production remains critical to national economic growth and improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He noted that achieving the Federal Government’s production targets would require sustained synergy among the Armed Forces, other security agencies, regulatory institutions, and industry stakeholders. Musa therefore called for greater information sharing, mutual trust, and collective commitment to safeguarding oil infrastructure and eliminating all forms of economic sabotage.

Olugbenga Oladipo, the commander, Joint Task Force (South-South) Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), said troops would continue to operate professionally and in strict compliance with the rules of engagement while sustaining aggressive operations against crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals, and other criminal elements threatening the nation’s economic assets.

Emmanuel Emekah, Major General and General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, and Land Component Commander, OPDS, similarly assured stakeholders of the military’s commitment to providing a secure environment for legitimate oil exploration and production activities.

He urged stakeholders to adhere strictly to the provisions of their memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with host communities, adding that doing so would strengthen mutual trust, promote peaceful coexistence, and enhance collaboration among all parties.

Umar Adam, Lieutenant Colonel and Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, said in a release on Tuesday that the meeting also provided stakeholders in the oil and gas industry the opportunity to highlight operational challenges affecting production and to seek stronger cooperation with security agencies.

He said, “They expressed optimism that the renewed partnership would significantly improve operational efficiency, enhance the protection of critical infrastructure, and create an enabling environment for increased investment and sustainable production across the Niger Delta.

“The engagement concluded with a shared resolve to deepen collaboration through regular consultations, intelligence sharing, and coordinated security measures aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s oil and gas assets.

“Participants expressed confidence that the strengthened partnership between the defence establishment and industry stakeholders would not only enhance national oil production but also contribute significantly to economic stability, increased government revenue, and the overall prosperity of the nation,” the release said.