In a powerful address at the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Executive Council meeting in Enugu, President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, urged the Nigerian government to take decisive action against the rampant issue of oil theft, a crisis with deep-reaching implications for the nation’s economy, politics, and social fabric.
Highlighting the devastating effects of oil theft on Nigeria’s economy, Mazi Afam stated, “Oil theft in Nigeria is not just the loss of a valuable resource but a symptom of deeper issues in leadership and governance.” Despite Nigeria’s status as a major oil producer, billions of dollars are lost each year to illegal oil siphoning.
This has significant consequences for national revenue and destabilizes the economy, impacting the government’s ability to fund essential services and invest in infrastructure development.
Mazi Afam underscored how oil theft exacerbates social and economic disparities in Nigeria. “While a well-connected few benefit, ordinary Nigerians face worsening poverty and increased distrust toward leadership.
The stolen wealth perpetuates cycles of corruption and inequality, undermining any hope for a fairer society,” he added. This ongoing crisis fosters disillusionment and widens social divides, placing Nigeria’s aspirations for an equitable future even further out of reach.
He also drew attention to allegations that some government officials, including security agencies, may be complicit in facilitating oil theft. “Serious allegations suggest that government officials may be involved. For instance, videos allegedly showing Nigerian Navy vessels protecting oil theft operations raise concerns about collusion.
Such evidence points to a dire issue where those entrusted with safeguarding our resources are instead aiding their exploitation,” Mazi Afam stated. He emphasized that this alleged complicity damages public trust in government institutions and highlights the urgent need for accountability and transparent investigations.
Despite clear evidence of theft and urgent calls for action, the government’s response has been inadequate, according to Mazi Afam. He stressed that effective solutions require not only strong enforcement and policy reforms but also the involvement of local communities in oil-producing regions. “Civil society’s role in highlighting the problem has been vital, but without genuine government action, these efforts alone cannot resolve the crisis.
Addressing oil theft requires transparency, strong leadership, and policies that actively prevent officials’ complicity,” he asserted.
Mazi Afam also proposed a model of community involvement as part of the solution. Compensating landowners in oil-producing areas, he argued, could align local community interests with national priorities, reducing the appeal of oil theft.
He called for reforms that empower communities to protect their resources and advocated for compensation structures that would encourage local stakeholders to actively prevent theft.
Mazi Afam concluded with a powerful reminder: “Ultimately, crude oil theft is not just an issue of enforcement or policy—it’s a problem of leadership, transparency, and accountability.
Without a genuine commitment from those in power to address this crisis, the cycle of theft and inequality will only continue. Nigeria’s oil should be a shared blessing, not a source of division and exploitation.”
The NBA, he noted, has a critical role to play. He encouraged NBA branches in oil-producing areas to engage in advocacy efforts to address this crisis, underscoring the Association’s commitment to national integrity and justice. The way forward, he insisted, lies in leadership that is strong, transparent, and responsive, channeling Nigeria’s oil wealth to benefit all citizens and foster a just and prosperous society
