CRUDE OIL THEFT PREVENTION AND PROHIBITION BILL

What Is This Policy?

A bill to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the prevention and prohibition of crude oil theft in Nigeria, prescribing penalties for offenders and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.

Who Does It Target?

Oil companies, security agencies, communities in oil-producing areas, and the general public.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Curb crude oil theft, protect Nigeria's petroleum revenue, strengthen enforcement against pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering, and deter future offenders.

Key Features

Criminal Penalties: Prescribes severe penalties for crude oil theft and related offences Enforcement Framework: Strengthens institutional mechanisms for detecting and preventing oil theft Revenue Protection: Aims to protect Nigeria's primary source of government revenue

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Under legislative consideration Coverage: All oil-producing areas and the entire petroleum value chain Funding: Federal Government appropriation

How to Access

Not yet in force. The bill is progressing through the National Assembly.

Important Terms

Nigeria reportedly loses billions of dollars annually to crude oil theft The bill complements existing provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act

Impact & Metrics

Could recover billions of dollars in lost revenue and strengthen the security of Nigeria's oil infrastructure.

Official Resources

Website: nass.gov.ng Contact: National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja

Legal Framework

Introduced under the legislative powers of the National Assembly vested by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Draws on the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004, the Criminal Code Act, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act provisions on asset recovery. Aligns with the UNODC guidelines on oil theft and the ECOWAS framework on combating petroleum product adulteration and theft.