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ABUJA – Stanley Akpesiri, Chief Executive Officer of the Oceansafe Limited, has called for strong maritime security, increased private sector participation and strict compliance with global standards to sustain Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He said maritime logistics and offshore security remained critical to protecting energy assets and ensuring uninterrupted operations, particularly as Nigeria seeks to boost production and attract new investments into the sector.
Akpesiri, while speaking on the sidelines of the 2026 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), in Abuja on Sunday, called for deeper community engagement in securing the nation’s maritime domain.
Oceansafe Limited, founded in 2021, was established to deliver world-class maritime logistics and security services that align with international standards, while supporting Nigeria’s energy ambitions.
According to Akpesiri, marine logistics play vital roles in transporting personnel, equipment and petroleum products between offshore facilities and onshore terminals, hence security in Nigeria’s offshore environment is an operational necessity rather than an option.
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“Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which remains the backbone of the country’s economy depends on efficient, safe and secure maritime operations, particularly in offshore environments where drilling, production, and crude evacuation activities are concentrated.
“The industry is at a critical crossroads and the indigenous maritime companies have a key role to play in building a secure, efficient, and globally competitive energy sector through professionalism, ethical operations and investment in people and assets,” he said.
Akpesiri said the company had grown from a start-up into a vessel-owning and operating firm with a growing fleet and presence in Nigeria’s offshore energy space under four years.
He said as vessel owners and operators, reliability, crew competence and strict safety standards are non-negotiable, while proper vessel maintenance, safety management systems, and continuous crew training are essential to secure lives, environment and assets.
The expert added that beyond security escort duties, maritime logistics supports seismic surveys, offshore inspections, drilling operations and crew transfers, which are increasingly being handled by vessels as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to air transport.
On industry sustainability, Akpesiri decried the high cost and complexity of security arrangements in the Niger Delta, noting that inefficiencies and delays often lead to downtime and higher operating costs for oil and gas companies.
He argued that properly regulated private sector participation has proven more responsive and efficient, citing examples from other sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Akpesiri said the challenges of crude oil theft and maritime crime, though persistent, were not insurmountable.
He highlighted preventive strategies such as intelligence-led surveillance, technology deployment, and community engagement as more effective than reactive responses.
He acknowledged recent improvements in maritime security and a reduction in large-scale incidents, attributing the progress to better coordination among government institutions, regulators, security agencies, and private operators.
However, he underscored the need for sustained enforcement and deterrent sanctions to consolidate these gains.
Akpesiri also emphasised the importance of addressing security at the grassroots, noting that empowering coastal communities through education, economic opportunities, and environmental protection would significantly reduce incentives for criminal activities.
On private maritime security providers, he said their engagement has improved deterrence and navigation safety in Nigeria’s offshore environment, helping to build confidence among operators and investors.
He added that while such measures come at a cost, they remain a practical solution in the short to medium term.
The expert warned aspiring maritime entrepreneurs against cutting corners, insisting that compliance, certification, and adherence to international standards are essential for long-term success. (NAN)
