By Chinedu Okafor, African News Correspondent
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) have launched a renewed drive to restore trust and foster responsible energy development in Ogoniland, Rivers State. This comes decades after oil operations were halted due to environmental damage and community unrest.
During a visit to Ogoniland on Monday, NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the government’s engagement with local stakeholders as “a demonstration of hope” and a fresh chapter built on dialogue, peace, and mutual respect. The delegation was led by National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as part of ongoing confidence-building efforts ahead of the planned re-entry into Oil Mining Lease 11.
Ojulari emphasized that the initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to resolving long-standing issues in the oil-rich region. “For NNPC Limited, this marks a new beginning grounded in partnership, mutual respect, and shared responsibility,” he said.
Addressing the Past, Building the Future
Ogoniland has long been a symbol of Nigeria’s troubled oil history, scarred by pollution, protests, and crises that forced Shell to suspend operations in the 1990s. Ojulari acknowledged this painful legacy, stressing that confronting the past is essential to charting a different future.
He praised the Presidential Committee on Ogoni Re-entry, chaired by Prof. Don Baridam, and the Office of the National Security Adviser for their leadership in restoring confidence among stakeholders.
NNPC’s renewed mission, Ojulari noted, extends beyond crude oil extraction. It prioritizes environmental protection, community wellbeing, and livelihoods. As part of this commitment, 30 Ogoni indigenes have secured full-time employment with NNPC Ltd., with their appointments set to take effect in January 2026.
Government and Community Commitments
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his sustained efforts to resolve the “Ogoni question.” He highlighted ongoing projects, including road construction, and announced plans for a University of Environment, hospitals, an industrial park, and other infrastructure to uplift Ogoni communities.
National Security Adviser Ribadu, representing President Tinubu, commended Ogoni stakeholders and the Rivers State Government for their cooperation. He described the engagement as a collective effort to overcome inherited challenges, noting that Rivers State has become one of Nigeria’s most peaceful regions due to effective leadership and community collaboration.
Strategic Importance of Ogoniland
Ogoniland hosts a significant portion of Oil Mining Lease 11, Nigeria’s largest onshore oil block, operated by NNPC Exploration and Production Limited. The area accounts for over 40 percent of OML-11’s recoverable reserves, making it central to Nigeria’s onshore oil revival strategy.
The renewed push for Ogoni re-entry gained momentum in late 2023 when President Tinubu approved the Presidential Committee on Ogoni Re-entry. The committee’s mandate includes facilitating dialogue, rebuilding trust, addressing security concerns, and ensuring that future oil operations align with environmental remediation and community development.