President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been alerted of the grave danger Nigeria would face if the federal government succumbs to the call by some groups to decentralize oil and gas pipeline security contracts.

First Green White Resources Centre (FGWRC), a non-governmental organization and organizers of Nigeria’s Pride Awards, raised the alarm in Abuja weekend, saying suck balkanization would lead to sabotage among the different contractors seeking to outdo one another which would eventually return the nation back to the era of oil theft and huge revenue losses.

Founder of the Centre, Bonaventure Phillips Melah, in a statement made available to newsmen, recalled that award of oil pipeline security contract to different warlords and ethnic fiefdom leaders, was the major cause of oil theft and economic sabotage that retarded national development during the military era and past civilian administrations.

FGWRC highlighted the various achievements of Tantita Security Services since it was awarded the contract since 2022, saying Nigeria’s current oil output of 1.782 million barrels per day (bpd), which stands at over 380,000 bpd above Nigeria’s OPEC quarter allocation of 1.5 million bpd is a clear testimony of the commitment, dedication and patriotism, as well as the expertise of Tantita and its promoter, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).

The Centre warned President Tinubu that those calling for decentralization of oil and gas pipeline security contracts are being sponsored by opposition elements and subversive elements seeking to diminish the government’s achievements in the area of revenue generation as well as to raise militancy in the oil-bearing communities, ahead of the 2027 general election, describing such agitations as handiwork of Nigeria’s enemies.

He said- “Any individual or group agitating or calling for decentralization of contracts for oil pipeline surveillance and security is an enemy of Nigeria and does not mean well for President Bola Tinubu and his administration. Such agitators are motivated by greed rather than genuine concern to safeguard Nigeria’s oil facilities.

“The above is true, because, Nigeria is currently enjoying its most glorious moment in terms of oil production capacity which has been steadily on the increase, averaging 1.530 million barrels per day (bpd) for several months now and well above the country OPEC quarter of about 1.5 million barrels per day.

“As at today, April 4, 2026, Nigeria’s daily crude oil production has increased to 1.84 million barrels per day (bpd) which is over 300,000 bpd above OPEC quarter.

“The current development was confirmed by Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, chief executive officer (CEO) of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). She announced the increase on Thursday April 2, 2026, during her visit to the headquarters of the ministry of finance in Abuja.

“She said- “We are doing 1.84 million barrels per day. That is a remarkable feat but I am sure we will do more,” she said and attributed the slight decrease a few numbers of time, to technical issues and maintenance and not oil theft.

“The question we should ask now is, with this remarkable achievement, why should anyone want to disrupt the system? As they say, if it is not broken, why do you want to mend it? Who wants to change a winning team in the middle of a game?

“Nigeria has for many years, suffered from high incidences of oil theft perpetrated by local and international criminal syndicates that were enabled by highly placed citizens, including politicians, administrators and even top security officers. The situation was so bad that the nation’s oil production capacity hovered between 700,000 and 900,000 bpd which drastically affected the nation’s economic wellbeing.

“One of the reasons for the high incidences of oil theft and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta and other oil-bearing communities, especially during the military era; and for many years in the past under civilian administration, was the award of contracts to several companies sponsored by different warlords and leaders of brake-away fiefdoms.

“According to security reports, such balkanization of contracts led to unhealthy competition and internal rivalry as operatives of opposing security companies clandestinely trespassed their areas of jurisdiction to deliberately carry out sabotage by blowing up oil pipelines, with the aim of putting their competitors in bad light.

“However, with the coming on board of Tatita Security Services Nigeria Limited in 2022, Nigeria has to a great extent, overcome its most grievous challenge in the oil and energy sector, which is oil theft.

“Within the period under review, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and his outfit, Tantita Security Services, have demonstrated exceptional commitment, dedication and patriotism as well as unmatchable expertise in the job of protecting Nigeria’s most valued infrastructure- oil and gas.

“It is therefore not surprising that the company and its promoter, have been receiving praises and commendations from traditional ruler, ministers, governors and international stakeholder in the energy sector.

“It is on that note that the recent call by some individuals and obviously sponsored groups for decentralisation of pipeline surveillance contracts, is most unfortunate and should be ignored by the federal government.

“This even so, considering the fact that some of the sponsored agitators proposed that the contracts should be shared among and across oil-producing states in the region. It means that the agitators want Nigeria to adopt the same nepotism and mediocrity rather than merit and competence, which have been the tragedy against Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

“The worst thing that can happen to any nation, especially Nigeria at this critical time of global economic misfortune, is to succumb to sponsored and greed-inspired blackmail and to surrender the protection of the security of the country’s critical economic infrastructures, to the whims of ethnic warlords, in the name of decentralization.

“Beyond all that, President Bola Tinubu is invited to note that there is an underbelly motive behind the sudden surge in the agitation for the so-called decentralization of oil pipeline security contract, especially on the heels of the 2027 general election. It is very clear that the President is the veiled target of this agitation that clearly shows the fingers of Esau. It is a clear case of blackmail which would eventually get back at the President knowing fully well that such decentralization would take the nation back to era of high oil theft. Loss of revenue and heightened insecurity in the region, which the masked masterminds would eventually use as campaign tools against the administration,’ Bonaventure concluded.