Security expert Demeide Master Tony argues that Nigeria’s economic recovery, energy security, and political stability rely heavily on the contract with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).
He noted that over the past four years, Tantita has significantly curbed oil theft by nearly 80% while boosting production to about 1.8 million barrels per day. The company has also generated more than 10,000 jobs and contributed to environmental restoration. In his view, ending the contract would weaken deterrence, disrupt communities, and potentially push the country into economic and political turmoil.
Demeide therefore supports renewing and strengthening Tantita’s role to sustain the security gains already achieved in Nigeria’s energy sector. He explained that social disorganization theory shows how weak institutions can encourage crime, whereas Tantita’s employment of thousands of Niger Delta youths has helped stabilize communities and promote peace.
He further pointed out that criminals tend to weigh risks before acting, and Tantita’s operations have increased the likelihood of arrest for pipeline vandals, making oil theft less attractive. According to him, the company’s approach combines advanced technology such as drones and geospatial tracking with grassroots intelligence from locally recruited youths, as well as close collaboration with agencies like the Police, Navy, DSS, NSCDC, and JTF. Their personnel are also trained in intelligence gathering, rapid response, and community engagement.
Demeide added that the Nigerian Army Resource Centre has described Tantita’s strategy as a model for national development. Citing data from NEITI and NUPRC, he highlighted that oil theft dropped sharply in 2023 while production recovered to between 1.4 and 1.5 million barrels per day. By 2024, output rose to 1.6 million barrels per day, and by July 2025, it reached 1.8 million barrels per day helping Nigeria save an estimated $18 billion annually.
He also emphasized broader benefits, including a reduction in oil spills, improved environmental conditions such as the disappearance of Port Harcourt’s black soot, and enhanced security that has reduced piracy and crime, thereby boosting investor confidence. Beyond security, Tantita has supported local communities through medical outreach, environmental cleanup, mangrove restoration, and youth empowerment programs in areas like welding, ICT, and marine services.
However, Demeide warned that scrapping the contract could have serious consequences across multiple sectors. Instead, he recommended expanding Tantita’s role into a permanent Niger Delta Pipeline Security Commission (NDPSC), maintaining a hybrid model that combines private sector efficiency with government oversight, and investing further in youth development and reintegration programs.
He also argued that keeping Tantita in place would help maintain political stability, particularly by preventing the manipulation of unemployed youths during the 2027 elections. In his words, retaining the company is not just an option but a strategic necessity, as it has demonstrated the effectiveness of local participation in safeguarding national assets.
Drawing on Sun Tzu’s ‘The Art of War’, Demeide concluded that effective security depends on deep, practical knowledge of threats something he believes Tantita provides. For Nigeria to sustain its economic progress, he insists, this protective system must remain firmly in place.
