In a significant development for regional security and economic stability, the Niger Delta Youth Council Worldwide (NDYC-W) has formally pledged to collaborate with Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) to safeguard critical oil and gas assets. This commitment emerged from a high-level stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Yenagoa on Monday, December 22, 2025, signaling a potential shift towards community-inclusive security models in the volatile Niger Delta region.
The meeting, which focused squarely on enhancing security frameworks, represents a proactive step by a major youth body to move from rhetoric to tangible partnership. In a detailed communique signed by National Coordinator Engr. Jator Abido, the NDYC-W outlined its vision for a secure environment conducive to both development and resource protection.
Beyond Pledges: The Context of a Fragile Region
The Niger Delta, home to Nigeria’s vast oil wealth, has long been plagued by pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and militant activity. These security breaches cause staggering economic losses—estimated in billions of dollars annually—environmental devastation, and revenue shortfalls for all tiers of government. The NDYC-W’s pledge is therefore not merely symbolic; it is a recognition that sustainable security cannot be imposed solely by state forces but requires the buy-in and active participation of host communities, whose youth are often on the front lines of both conflict and solution.
The council specifically commended PINL for its community engagement programs, highlighting a critical success factor often overlooked: corporate-community relations. Effective asset protection in the Delta hinges on companies moving beyond transactional relationships to building genuine trust and shared interest with local populations. This partnership model suggests PINL may be adopting a more nuanced approach, where youth are seen as stakeholders and partners in security, rather than as risks to be managed.
A Multi-Faceted Security Stance
Engr. Abido’s communique struck a balanced tone, combining partnership with firm warning. While pledging collaboration with PINL and urging support for official security agencies, the council issued a direct caution to “non-indigenous groups perpetuating violence,” explicitly naming herdsmen, bandits, and cult groups. This delineation underscores the complex layers of insecurity in the region, which extend beyond traditional resource-based conflicts to include farmer-herder clashes and criminal gang warfare. The call for these groups to embrace peace and coexist, especially during the Yuletide season, ties security directly to social harmony and community well-being.
Broader Political Endorsements and Developments
The NDYC-W also used the platform to commend broader governance structures. It praised the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under Hon. Chiedu Ebie and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for their developmental efforts—a nod that aligns security with the broader agenda of regional development. Lack of development is a key driver of unrest; thus, supporting the NDDC is seen as a complementary peace-building strategy. The council also welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of a new Minister of Defence, expressing hope for renewed federal focus on the region’s unique security challenges.
In a move to solidify its voice, the NDYC-W simultaneously launched the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Chronicle, a monthly newspaper. This initiative aims to establish a leading media voice for the region. A dedicated, community-owned media platform can shape narratives, promote transparency in reporting on security and development issues, and counter misinformation, thereby playing an indirect but vital role in conflict prevention and community mobilization.
Implications and the Path Forward
This pledge, if translated into actionable, structured programs, could serve as a model for other regions. Potential collaborative activities might include:
• Joint Surveillance Networks: Integrating community youth into certified surveillance and reporting systems for pipeline corridors.
• Information Sharing: Establishing secure channels for intelligence between community groups, PINL, and security agencies.
• Alternative Livelihood Programs: Linking security cooperation to tangible skill development and job opportunities for youths within the PINL value chain and beyond.
The success of this collaboration will depend on clear agreements, mutual accountability, and sustained commitment from both parties. It also extends condolences to the Bayelsa State Government on the passing of the Deputy Governor, a gesture that reinforces its role as a responsible civic entity. Ultimately, the NDYC-W’s move is a powerful assertion that the youth of the Niger Delta are ready to be architects of their region’s stability and prosperity, provided they are given a legitimate seat at the security and development table.
Reported by Shedrack Frank for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Nathan Nwakamma and Benson Iziama.
