The Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating crude oil theft in the Niger Delta has revealed that Nigeria has lost an estimated $300 billion in oil and gas revenue between 2015 and 2025, due to systemic irregularities, poor measurement practices, and weak regulatory enforcement in the sector.
Presenting the committee’s interim report on Wednesday, 5th November 2025, Chairman Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North) said the findings were based on stakeholder submissions, documents, and public information. The 40-page report recommended sweeping reforms to enhance transparency, accountability, and security in Nigeria’s oil industry.
Key proposals include the strict enforcement of internationally accepted crude oil measurement standards at all production and export sites by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the deployment of modern surveillance technology, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to curb oil theft. The committee also urged the creation of a Maritime Trust Fund to strengthen maritime infrastructure and safety.
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Other recommendations include establishing special courts to prosecute oil theft cases, fully implementing the Host Communities Development Trust Fund under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and handing over abandoned wells to the NUPRC for proper oversight.
However, the report’s proposal to empower the committee to “track, trace, and recover” stolen crude oil sparked debate. Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) and Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West) cautioned that recovery powers lie with the executive, not the legislature.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the committee’s “thorough and courageous” work but affirmed that the Senate’s role was limited to investigation and oversight. He described the losses as “staggering” and called for urgent reforms to protect Nigeria’s vital oil resources.
The Senate thereafter adopted the interim report and directed the committee to continue its probe and present a comprehensive final report.
