FG moves to revive stalled Kolmani oil project

The Federal Government has begun moves to revive exploration activities at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State, months after operations at the site reportedly stalled.

The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammad Bello, disclosed this on Monday during a verification visit to the oil field.

Bello said the commission visited the site to assess the status of the project and explore ways of supporting its resumption, describing the Kolmani development as strategically important to Bauchi State, the North-East and Nigeria’s broader energy sector.

“We want the momentum of the project that was started in 2023 to return. We want to come and verify for ourselves what is going on so that we can advocate for this important project to continue, so that the people of the North-East of Nigeria can further benefit,” he said.

The RMAFC chairman said the commission would assess the level of work already undertaken and submit its findings to relevant authorities as part of efforts to facilitate the project’s revival.

He added that President Bola Tinubu was concerned about the development and had assured the governors of Bauchi and Gombe states that efforts would be made to remobilise activities at the field.

“We know that he has assured the two governors that there will be mobilisation for the project to continue,” Bello said.

The Kolmani oil development straddles parts of Bauchi and Gombe states and has been promoted as a major petroleum project capable of transforming the economy of the North-East.

During the visit, Bello also inspected the ongoing construction of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, commending the state government for developing manpower that could support the petroleum industry when exploration activities resume fully.

He noted that the RMAFC had contributed to the funding of the institution.

Earlier, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Natural Resources, Maiwada Bello, disclosed that exploration activities at the oil field had stopped around July 2025.

According to him, the state government was informed by residents of the host community that the company handling the technical aspects of the project had begun demobilising from the site.

“When we came here, actually there was no activity. Shortly after you left, between January 2025 and somewhere around June 2025, July 2025, we received news from the host community that the company operating in this area was demobilising,” the commissioner said.

He explained that the state government subsequently constituted a joint team with the local government to engage the technical company and determine the reasons for the halt in activities.

Maiwada expressed optimism that the RMAFC’s intervention could help restore momentum to the project, assuring that the Bauchi State Government remained prepared to provide the manpower and other necessary support.

“Bauchi State under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed is ever ready to provide every manpower needed to support the exploration,” he said.

The renewed push comes amid efforts by the Federal Government to expand petroleum exploration and production beyond Nigeria’s traditional oil-producing areas and increase the country’s revenue base.