The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) says its planned return to oil operations in Ogoniland will be driven by fairness, reconciliation, and inclusive development. The company described the move as a landmark moment for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday, NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, explained that the initiative is not solely about crude extraction but also about repairing relationships, addressing past wrongs, and creating opportunities for the Ogoni people.
“The Ogoni re-entry is about more than oil. It is about justice, healing, and charting a shared future,” Ojulari said. He added that the company had already started trust-building measures such as road projects, infrastructure improvements, and community empowerment programs.
He emphasized that the new approach will prioritize dialogue, equity, and sustainability rather than production figures. According to him, the project will test Nigeria’s ability to ensure that oil resources translate into real benefits for host communities.
Ojulari also commended National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for convening the Presidential Committee that brought stakeholders together. The committee, chaired by Professor Don Baridam, reportedly fostered consensus through months of transparent engagement.
Ribadu noted that the breakthrough demonstrates how cooperation can drive lasting progress, while Baridam praised President Bola Tinubu’s support for dialogue and inclusivity.
Oil production in Ogoniland was halted in the 1990s following violent protests over environmental damage, championed by the late Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). Shell’s exit left large oil reserves untapped but also deepened decades of distrust and legal disputes.
Although the Ogoni cleanup project launched in 2016 sought to address these concerns, it has faced criticism over delays. Ojulari insisted the new approach signals a shift, describing it as a model of balancing energy development with environmental protection and community welfare.
“This story goes beyond Nigeria. It shows how a resource-rich country can link energy security with community aspirations,” he said.
The announcement is being positioned as a major demonstration of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with officials highlighting it as an opportunity to transform Ogoniland from a site of conflict into a model of peace and sustainable growth.
