The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting critical national energy infrastructure as the Ministry of Defence and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) moved to deepen operational collaboration around energy security and maritime asset protection.
The commitment was made during a meeting at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, where the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), hosted the management of NLNG to discuss security challenges affecting the energy sector and ongoing infrastructure expansion projects.
The discussions focused on the protection of NLNG operations, maritime security within the Gulf of Guinea and safeguarding strategic energy infrastructure considered vital to Nigeria’s economic stability.
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Speaking during the engagement, the Defence Minister said the Federal Government remained committed to securing assets critical to national economic growth and energy sustainability.
“Nigeria needs gas,” the Minister stated, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between security institutions and strategic economic operators.
General Musa disclosed that the Federal Government had established a dedicated Maritime Task Force to strengthen security operations within the Gulf of Guinea and protect maritime energy corridors.
The Minister said the initiative forms part of wider efforts to secure offshore installations, shipping routes and strategic maritime infrastructure against criminal activities and other security threats.
He also revealed that Nigeria was increasingly pursuing local defence production capabilities amid global procurement delays affecting military equipment acquisition.
“In the light of the global slowdown in international arms procurement, Nigeria is already looking inward by building capacity in local defence production as a sustainable long-term solution,” he stated.
General Musa assured NLNG of continued military support toward securing critical infrastructure linked to the country’s energy sector.
“I assure you that we are together, and we are going to give you all the support that you need,” he said.
Leading the NLNG delegation, the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Leye Falade, said the protection of energy infrastructure remains essential to sustaining production capacity and supporting Nigeria’s economy.
“As one of Nigeria’s highest tax-paying organisations, we want to do even more for the economy,” Falade stated.
The NLNG boss disclosed that the company was expanding its operational capacity by 35 percent through the ongoing Train 7 Project.
“We are currently expanding our capacity by 35 percent through our Train 7 project, and safeguarding these operations is paramount to balancing the expectations of our shareholders with our national mandate,” he said.
Falade also commended the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies for their role in securing maritime operations and protecting critical national infrastructure.
Both parties agreed to strengthen operational cooperation aimed at ensuring the continued protection of strategic energy assets and supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic stability.
