President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin talks with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Ogoni people, and other relevant stakeholders on finalising the framework for restarting oil production in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
The directive followed the submission of the Ogoni Dialogue Report by the Presidential Committee on Ogoni Consultations, chaired by Professor Don Baridam, at the State House, Abuja. The delegation was led by the Governor of Rivers State (Treasure Base of the Nation), Siminalayi Fubara.
The information was made public in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
At the ceremony, President Tinubu also announced posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) to four late Ogoni leaders — Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Albert Bade, Chief Samuel Orage, and Chief Theophilus Orage, in recognition of their role in the struggle to protect their land. This came after he had earlier in June honoured Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other activists killed by the Abacha regime.
While commending the Baridam-led committee for its work, the President appealed to the Ogoni people to give room for unity and dialogue, with a promise that his administration would continue to protect their environment.
“We are not, as a government, taking lightly the years of pain endured in Ogoniland. We recognise that, otherwise, we would not be here today. The Federal Government truly acknowledges the long suffering of the Ogoni people, and today, we declare with conviction that hope is here and is back with us,” he said.
The President also directed the Minister of Environment and the NSA to work together in incorporating the recommendations of the dialogue into wider implementation.
“I am directing the National Security Adviser to commence immediately the engagement between the Ogoni people and NNPCL and all relevant stakeholders with a view to finalising modalities to begin operations. We must start by addressing non-valuable assets, which are of no benefit to the community, the country, or its people,” Tinubu added.
The President assured that the Federal Government would provide the resources required to address the concerns of the Ogoni people.
“I urge Ogoni people across the communities and generations to close ranks, put this dark chapter behind us, and move forward as a united community. We have settled. This reconciliation is not an erasure of history but the commitment to write the next chapter together. I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production under an equitable tax system,” he said.
Governor Fubara, in his remarks, said the President’s interventions had already boosted projects in the region, including work on the East-West Road and the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology.
NSA Ribadu also explained that Tinubu approved early confidence-building steps that helped bring stakeholders together, such as setting up the university’s governing council and making progress on key infrastructure.
“All through the process, tensions and divisions were carefully mediated, and a spirit of dialogue prevailed over confrontation, leading to a constructive and all-inclusive consultation process. This report, being formally presented to your excellency today, is the outcome of that intensive, methodical and transparent engagement,” he said.
He stressed that all parties were now ready to support the responsible resumption of oil production in Ogoniland on the basis of fairness, equity, and environmental protection.
Committee Chairman, Professor Baridam, expressed gratitude to the President for establishing the committee and for honouring both past and present Ogoni leaders. He said the gestures had restored hope to a people who had long felt neglected.
