Nigeria will need to increase maritime security and engage more private security organisations if the oil and gas production target is to be met, Chief Executive Officer of Oceansafe Limited, Stanley Akpesiri, said.

Akpesiri said weaknesses in Nigeria’s maritime domain have long enabled large-scale losses in the oil and gas sector.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Nigerian International Energy Summit in Abuja, he said efforts to curb crude oil theft require proactive actions that will bypass the government’s bureaucratic approach.

Akpesiri said oil theft, illegal bunkering and offshore crime continue to deny the country the benefit of higher oil production, revenue and investor confidence.

He noted that as offshore production and crude evacuation increasingly rely on marine routes, protecting vessels, platforms and logistics corridors has become central to Nigeria’s anti-theft strategy.

While Nigeria is borrowing to finance its fiscal plans, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) said the country lost 13.5 million barrels of crude oil valued at $3.3 billion to theft and sabotage in 2022 alone.

Akpesiri said bridging such a gap requires improved security on maritime logistics for the movement of personnel, equipment and crude oil between offshore facilities and onshore terminals.

According to him, gaps in this system expose critical assets to sabotage, theft and operational disruption.

Akpesiri said properly managed maritime logistics plays a vital role in preventing theft by ensuring continuous surveillance, secure vessel movement and rapid response capabilities.

According to him, vessel reliability, crew competence and strict adherence to safety and operational standards are essential in high-risk environments such as the Niger Delta, where criminal networks have historically exploited security lapses.

“Ocean operations cannot afford weak links,” he said, adding: “When vessels are unfit for purpose, or crews are poorly trained, it creates opportunities for criminal activity and increases the risk of asset losses.”

Akpesiri said his company’s growth reflects increasing demand for professional maritime services as operators seek to reduce exposure to theft and insecurity.

According to him, beyond escort and patrol services, maritime logistics supports offshore inspections, seismic surveys and drilling operations. His organisation is creating new ways to facilitate crew transfers.

Against clamour by operators of high operating costs due to reliance on private security instead of state-funded personnel, Akpesiri said private sector involvement has become a key feature of Nigeria’s maritime security framework, particularly in offshore areas where state resources are stretched.

According to Akpesiri, indigenous operators have invested heavily in asset maintenance, compliance and operational readiness because their business viability depends on reliability and performance.

He argued that inefficiencies and delays in security arrangements have historically contributed to downtime and losses for oil producers.

“When offshore operations are disrupted, the cost is borne by the entire value chain,” he said, adding that private operators tend to be more responsive when operating under clear regulatory oversight.

Akpesiri said the progress demonstrates that Nigeria has the technical capacity and skilled manpower required to secure its maritime domain.

He stressed, however, that sustained coordination and enforcement are needed to consolidate gains and prevent a resurgence of large-scale theft.

He also noted the importance of addressing oil theft at the community level, noting that security measures alone cannot deliver lasting results. According to him, coastal communities must be integrated into the security conversation through employment, education and environmental protection.

“When communities benefit from legitimate economic activity, the incentives for criminal behaviour are reduced. Long-term security is achieved not just through patrols, but through inclusive development,” he said.

Akpesiri said the current model should continue to evolve alongside broader reforms aimed at strengthening institutions, improving compliance monitoring and deepening community participation.

He advised aspiring maritime entrepreneurs to prioritise compliance and international standards, warning that cutting corners undermines safety and sustainability.

According to him, companies that fail to maintain assets, manage finances prudently or comply with regulations often struggle to survive in the highly competitive maritime sector.