Ogoniland to Witness Oil Drilling Again After 30 Years – NSA Ribadu Confirms
In a groundbreaking announcement that could reshape the socio-economic landscape of the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has confirmed that oil drilling operations will soon resume in Ogoniland, Rivers State. This decision marks a historic shift, as it comes more than 30 years after oil exploration was suspended in the region due to environmental damage, community resistance, and persistent health concerns.
Ribadu made this major disclosure while addressing stakeholders and political leaders during the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit held on Thursday in Abuja.
“Oil production will soon resume in Ogoniland,” he declared, highlighting the significance of the development as part of the broader economic and security successes of the current government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A New Chapter for Ogoniland
Ogoniland, located in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, has long been at the heart of Nigeria’s oil production controversies. While the region is rich in natural resources, particularly crude oil, the people of Ogoni have endured decades of marginalization, environmental destruction, and unfulfilled promises. The announcement by Ribadu signals what many hope will be the beginning of a new chapter—one that includes both economic revitalization and environmental responsibility.
According to Ribadu, “Nigeria’s oil production had climbed to an average of 1.8 million barrels per day in 2025,” a testament to the strides made under President Tinubu’s leadership.
Tackling Oil Theft and Vandalism: A Security Success Story
The NSA emphasized that Nigeria’s oil sector has not only seen growth in production but also significant progress in addressing long-standing issues of oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Ribadu reported a 47% drop in infractions, showcasing the impact of renewed security measures.
“Security forces have dismantled 1,978 illegal refineries and destroyed 3,849 dugout pits and 3,773 illegal cooking ovens,” he noted.
This crackdown on illegal oil activities is largely due to the success of “Operation Delta Safe”, a joint security task force that includes personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and other law enforcement agencies. Ribadu credited the operation for playing a “pivotal role” in restoring order and safety in oil-producing regions like the Niger Delta.
President Tinubu’s Early Promise for Ogoniland
Plans to revive oil production in Ogoniland did not just begin with Ribadu’s announcement. In fact, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier revealed his administration’s intention to resolve the complex issues surrounding oil operations in the region.
In March 2025, the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, a body set up to engage with stakeholders and local communities, completed its consultations and announced that it would soon present its final findings and recommendations to the federal government.
This dialogue process was crucial in building trust and ensuring that the voices of local communities were heard in the decision-making process. The outcome of these consultations will likely influence the policies and safety protocols guiding the resumption of oil drilling in Ogoni land.
A Troubled Past: Why Oil Operations Stopped in 1993
Oil activities in Ogoniland were halted in 1993 after years of environmental degradation, social unrest, and fierce resistance led by activists like the late Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was executed in 1995 under the military regime of Sani Abacha.
Between 1976 and 1991, more than 2 million barrels of oil were spilled across nearly 3,000 separate incidents in Ogoniland. This caused devastating environmental damage, affecting farmlands, rivers, and the general health of local residents.
Despite the suspension of drilling activities, the pollution did not stop. A 2017 report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) revealed that many Ogoni communities continued to be exposed daily to harmful hydrocarbons and other toxic substances in their water, air, and soil.
More Recent Spills: A Cautionary Tale
Even with no active drilling, Ogoniland remains one of the most environmentally vulnerable areas in Nigeria. In 2019, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) confirmed a fresh oil spill in Ebubu, located in the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. This incident highlighted the continued risks posed by existing oil infrastructure and underlined the importance of prioritizing safety and environmental restoration in any new oil operations.
Economic Hope vs. Environmental Concerns
While the news of oil production resuming in Ogoniland brings hope for job creation, increased federal revenue, and infrastructural development, it also raises pressing questions about environmental safety, community involvement, and long-term sustainability.
For many Ogoni people and civil society groups, the priority remains ensuring that the past is not repeated. Communities are demanding that strict environmental standards, fair revenue-sharing mechanisms, and robust monitoring systems be put in place before any oil company begins drilling again.
There is also a strong call for local youths and contractors to be involved in the new oil operations, to avoid the perception that external interests are once again exploiting Ogoni resources without proper compensation or benefit to the people.
What Comes Next?
As the federal government moves closer to finalizing the resumption of oil activities in Ogoniland, several steps are expected to follow:
-
Formal government approval of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee's findings.
-
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and clean-up commitments by oil companies.
-
Engagement with community leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations.
-
Transparent recruitment and training programs for local youth.
-
Regular monitoring and public reporting of environmental data.
The path ahead may be complex, but if managed correctly, it could finally bring justice, development, and stability to a region that has given so much to Nigeria yet received so little in return.
Stay tuned to NaijaRush.com for exclusive updates, in-depth analysis, and the latest developments on this monumental story affecting Ogoniland and the entire Niger Delta.
