The Federal Government has placed a ban on the importation of oil pipelines into Nigeria. The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made this known on Thursday during the launch of Monarch Alloys 33LPE and concrete weight coating facility in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Speaking at the event, Lokpobiri said Nigeria must stop importing oil pipelines and start supporting local manufacturers. He directed the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to stop giving waivers that allow the importation of Chinese pipelines into the country.
The minister said pipelines are key to the oil and gas sector, and one of the reasons NCDMB was set up was to help Nigerian companies build the capacity to service the industry. He praised Monarch Alloys for laying a solid foundation over the past 15 years but expressed worry about the sustainability of such local companies without strong patronage.
Lokpobiri said, “I’m very happy that companies like this are now springing up in Nigeria. But the important thing is how to sustain this company. If it is not supported by companies operating in the oil and gas sector, it will die naturally.”
He added that in the past, Nigeria became a dumping ground for imported pipes from China. He said several Nigerian companies failed because they could not compete with cheaper imported pipes. He assured that under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, dumping would no longer be tolerated.
Lokpobiri warned the NCDMB officials present at the event, including the Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, and other directors, that no more waivers should be granted for importing Chinese pipes. He said pipes needed in the oil and gas industry can now be produced locally by Monarch Alloys and similar companies.
“I want to see how, within the next year, Monarch Alloys will grow. I want them to provide services not just to Nigeria but to the entire African continent. Africa is looking up to Nigeria for leadership in the oil and gas sector,” he said.
Lokpobiri also pointed out that one major problem Nigeria faces in oil production is the poor condition of pipelines. According to him, many of the pipelines are over 60 years old and have outlived their useful lifespan, leading to losses and insecurity in the sector.
He said Nigeria can easily produce up to three million barrels of oil per day if the country’s pipeline infrastructure is improved. He noted that supporting local industries will create jobs, keep value within the country, and boost the Nigerian economy.
“Every pipe we import creates jobs outside Nigeria, but every pipe we buy locally retains jobs in Nigeria,” Lokpobiri said. He promised to continue fighting for local companies as long as he remains minister.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Monarch Alloys, Mr. Atul Chaudhary, said the company has ended the era of steel importation into Nigeria. He revealed that Monarch Alloys has grown steadily and is now one of the leading steel producers in Nigeria.
Chaudhary said the company was able to set up the factory between May 2023 and January 2025. He added that Monarch Alloys has an annual production capacity of two million square meters and can produce up to 500 pipes daily.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, praised the new facility, saying it represents a big step for Nigeria. He said it shows what is possible when private business aligns with the national vision. Ogbe stressed that the achievement supports the NCDMB’s goal of building an oil and gas industry that is truly driven by Nigerians.
He said, “The new facility strengthens the value chain, deepens local participation, and proves that we are committed to making Nigerians key players in their own oil and gas sector.”
