Amanze Chinonye
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday conferred posthumous national honours on four slain Ogoni leaders and directed fresh negotiations to restart oil production in Ogoniland, nearly three decades after operations were suspended over environmental and human-rights disputes.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while receiving the report of the Presidential Committee on Ogoni Consultations, Tinubu awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) to Chief Albert badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Theophilus Orage, and Chief Samuel Orage popularly known as the Ogoni Four. The men were killed in 1994 amid internal conflicts linked to the region’s environmental justice movement.
“May their memories continue to inspire unity, courage, and purpose among us,” Tinubu said. “I urge the Ogoni people across classes, communities, and generations to close ranks, put this dark chapter behind us, and move forward as a united community with one voice.”
The honours follow Tinubu’s June recognition of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other members of the Ogoni Nine, whose 1995 executions drew global condemnation and forced the shutdown of oil operations in the area.
Directive for Oil Resumption
Tinubu announced that the federal government will support the return of oil exploration under a framework that ensures environmental protection and fair community participation.
He directed National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to immediately begin engagement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), its joint-venture partners, Ogoni leaders, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting operations.
“A dead asset is not valuable to the community, the country, or the people. The longer we procrastinate, the worse it is for everyone,” Tinubu said. “Let us together turn pain into purpose, conflict into cooperation, and transform the wealth beneath Ogoni soil into a blessing for the people and for Nigeria.”
The President also instructed the Minister of Environment to integrate pollution remediation and environmental recovery into the broader dialogue, underscoring that oil operations will only resume alongside cleanup measures.
Oil exploration in Ogoniland stopped in 1993 following sustained protests over oil spills and gas flaring. In 2022, the previous administration transferred operatorship of the Ogoni oil field to NNPCL and its partners a decision Tinubu said his government would honour and build upon.
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Report Calls for Inclusive Development
Presenting the committee’s report, Chairman Professor Don Baridam said the consultations captured the demands of local communities, traditional leaders, and the Ogoni diaspora for structured participation in oil production, accelerated environmental cleanup, and a clear framework for sustainable development.
NSA Nuhu Ribadu, who supervised the process, added that the consultations covered all four Ogoni zones and succeeded in restoring trust among previously divided stakeholders. He said the report would serve as a blueprint for implementation, recommending an inter-agency task force comprising NNPCL, relevant ministries, and the Ogoni Dialogue Committee to drive execution.
The move signals the federal government’s strongest commitment in decades to reconcile economic development with environmental justice in the Niger Delta.
Successful resumption of production if carried out under strict safeguards could unlock billions of dollars in oil revenue, create jobs, and boost Nigeria’s crude output at a time of volatile global energy markets.
But analysts caution that any failure to deliver on cleanup promises or to ensure equitable revenue sharing could reignite tensions in one of Nigeria’s most politically sensitive oil-producing regions.
For the Ogoni people, Tinubu’s directives mark a rare federal acknowledgment of past injustices and a potential turning point in a struggle that has defined the global debate on environmental responsibility and resource governance.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
