The Pipeline Professionals Association of Nigeria (PLAN) has called on the Federal Government to recognize oil and gas pipelines as national critical infrastructure, stressing their central role in energy security, industrial development, and social welfare.

The call was made by Saidu Mohammed, a PLAN Board of Trustees member, at the Nigerian International Pipeline Technology and Security Conference (NIPITECS) 2025 in Abuja, themed “Building Robust Pipeline Systems for the Decade of Gas and Beyond.”

Key highlights:

• Private sector involvement: PLAN advocated for public-private partnerships and new financing frameworks to replace aging pipelines, improve crude evacuation, and reduce trucking dependence.
• Pipeline importance: PLAN Chairman, Geoff Onuoha, emphasized that pipelines are often overlooked until disruptions occur, underscoring the need for robust design, construction, operation, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning.
• Professional standards: The association urged members to uphold professionalism, maintain standards, and employ best practices to enhance pipeline safety and reliability.
• Legislative support: Henry Okojie, Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to policies, oversight, and frameworks that encourage investment, innovation, and transparency in pipeline infrastructure.
• Conference scope: NIPITECS 2025, now in its ninth edition, convened engineers, regulators, academia, and stakeholders to discuss technical challenges, regulatory issues, and innovative solutions for a future-ready pipeline network.

PLAN highlighted that improved pipeline infrastructure not only supports the energy sector but also protects the environment, promotes economic growth, and strengthens national development.