The chief executive officer of Oceansafe Limited, Stanley Akpesiri, has called for strict compliance with global maritime security and logistics standards to attract fresh investment into Nigeria's oil and gas sector, amid recent security improvements.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 in Abuja, Akpesiri emphasised that stronger maritime security, increased private-sector participation, and adherence to international benchmarks are essential to protecting energy assets and sustaining production growth.
"Nigeria's oil and gas sector, which remains the backbone of the country's economy, depends on efficient, safe and secure maritime operations," he said, highlighting Oceansafe's rapid growth from a 2021 startup into a vessel-owning firm supporting offshore drilling, crew transfers, and crude evacuation.
Akpesiri advocated intelligence-led surveillance, community engagement, and private providers to combat oil theft and Niger Delta inefficiencies, warning entrepreneurs against cutting corners for long-term success.
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Oceansafe pushes for stronger maritime security, private sector role to protect energy assets
Akpesiri, also called for stronger 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.
He said deeper community engagement remains key in securing the nation's maritime domain.
Oceansafe Limited, founded in 2021, was established to deliver world-class maritime logistics and security services that meet international standards while supporting Nigeria's energy ambitions.
He explained that Marine logistics could play a vital role 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.
"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.
He 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 in just 4 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.
He 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.
Akpesiri, while speaking on industry sustainability, decried the high cost and complexity of security arrangements in the Niger Delta, adding 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.
On addressing crude oil theft and maritime crime, he said the challenges, 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.
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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 level, noting that empowering coastal communities through education, economic opportunities, and environmental protection would significantly reduce incentives for criminal activity.
On the use of 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.
He however warned aspiring maritime entrepreneurs against cutting corners, insisting that compliance, certification, and adherence to international standards are essential for long-term success.
