Ogoni oil re-entry restores hope, balances growth with justice – FG

The Federal Government has described the re-entry into Ogoniland as a historic milestone for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, stressing that it represents not only renewed production but also a commitment to justice, healing, and inclusive national development.

Speaking on Wednesday at the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Report in Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledged the sacrifices of the Ogoni people, noting that the long-awaited re-entry signals the government’s resolve to balance energy development with environmental stewardship and community welfare.

“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… We declare with conviction that hope is here and is back with us,” Tinubu said.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, in a statement signed by Chief Corporate Communications Officer Andy Odeh, described the development as a reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to the Ogoni re-entry plan.

He emphasized that the move was “not just about oil and gas, but about justice, healing, and charting a new future for our nation.”

Ojulari credited the breakthrough to the leadership of National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the work of Professor Don Baridam-led Presidential Committee, which he said fostered dialogue and consensus among all stakeholders.

He added that NNPC was already investing in infrastructure upgrades, road construction, and local empowerment initiatives to rebuild trust with host communities.

“The lesson is that this journey cannot be driven solely by production volumes.

“It must be anchored on justice, equity, sustainability, and collaboration with the very people whose land bears this wealth,” he said.

Ribadu, in his remarks, described the report as the product of a transparent and inclusive process, while Professor Baridam commended President Tinubu’s “unwavering commitment” to the well-being of the Ogoni people, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy had restored trust and renewed hope.

Observers note that the Ogoni re-entry carries significance beyond Nigeria’s borders, serving as a global example of how energy development can be aligned with environmental protection and community inclusion.

For Nigeria, officials say, the milestone reflects the essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda—strengthening the nation, attracting responsible investment, and ensuring that local communities remain central to national progress.