Nigeria’s Trans-Niger Pipeline, the country’s largest crude oil transportation network, has resumed operations after a temporary shutdown caused by a recent explosion and fire. The restart comes as Rivers State grapples with escalating political instability, raising concerns over the security of Nigeria’s vital energy infrastructure.
The March 17 explosion forced the closure of the pipeline, which carries approximately 450,000 barrels of crude oil per day, disrupting exports and fueling fears of further instability in the region. A senior oil executive, speaking anonymously, confirmed that repairs had been completed and that operations had restarted. However, he warned that the situation remains fragile due to ongoing unrest in Rivers State.
“The threat to oil production is still there despite the resumption of the Trans-Niger Pipeline,” the official stated.
The resumption of pipeline operations follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday. The president suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state’s House of Assembly for six months, citing prolonged political tensions, security threats, and vandalism of critical infrastructure, including oil pipelines.
Tinubu, in a national broadcast, appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s sole administrator to oversee governance until stability is restored. “For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with its constitutional mandate,” the president assured.
The crisis in Rivers State deepened after 26 lawmakers served Governor Fubara with a notice of gross misconduct, signaling an attempt to remove him from office. The escalating tensions and damage to key oil infrastructure have heightened concerns about Nigeria’s crude production and economic stability, as oil remains the nation’s primary revenue source.
While the reopening of the Trans-Niger Pipeline brings some relief to the oil sector, the political and security situation in Rivers State continues to pose significant risks to Nigeria’s energy exports and economic outlook.
