In a strong show of federal endorsement amid ongoing efforts to heal decades-old wounds in Ogoniland, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s personal satisfaction with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership, particularly his role in facilitating talks on resuming oil exploration in the long-contested region.
The message came during a high-profile courtesy visit to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday, December 22, 2025, where Ribadu led a presidential delegation that included Minister of Works Senator David Umahi, Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal, and top officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Ribadu described Rivers as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states, crediting Fubara’s “responsible and effective” style for creating the enabling environment. He revealed that President Tinubu specifically directed him to thank the governor for coordinating the sensitive Ogoni dialogue process, which could pave the way for renewed oil activities after over three decades of suspension due to environmental devastation, community unrest, and the legacy of the 2011 UNEP report.
The delegation’s visit underscores a multi-pronged federal strategy: consolidating peace, accelerating environmental remediation, and delivering tangible infrastructure dividends to build trust. Ribadu emphasized that a “new chapter” is unfolding in Ogoni, with Nigeria’s broader transformation “starting from here.” He also extended Tinubu’s appreciation to the Ogoni people for their patience and cooperation.
Minister Umahi highlighted the strategic importance of the Ogoni peace initiative to national unity, reaffirming Tinubu’s personal commitment to Niger Delta welfare. He announced accelerated timelines for key road projects:
– The 15-kilometre Eleme axis of the East–West Road in Ogoniland, valued at over ₦200 billion, features five flyovers (one contributed by the Rivers State Government) and is slated for completion by April 2026.
– Designs are underway — with presidential approval — to dualise the Bonny–Bodo Road from its starting point to connect with the East–West Road, including two additional flyovers. (This follows the temporary opening of the 37.9-km Bodo–Bonny Road in early December 2025, which ended years of reliance on river crossings for Bonny Island residents.)
– President Tinubu has ordered a redesign of the ambitious Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway to route through Ogoniland, ensuring the mega-project directly benefits the area.
These infrastructure gains align with the governor’s efforts to restore ease of movement along the East–West Road, linking Bonny and Bayelsa, and rebuilding regional confidence.
On the environmental front, Minister Lawal reaffirmed that the Ogoni clean-up — managed by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) — remains a top priority. Progress includes ongoing mangrove restoration (reported at high completion rates in recent HYPREP updates), shoreline remediation, healthcare delivery, human capital development, and women empowerment programmes, all drawn from UNEP recommendations.
NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari reinforced the shift in focus “from oil to people,” pledging full commitment to the dialogue. He disclosed that the recruitment of 30 Ogoni indigenes into NNPCL has reached the final stage, with appointment letters issued and resumption set for January 2026 — a concrete step toward local inclusion.
In response, Governor Fubara expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu, describing the intervention as proof of genuine love for Rivers State. He acknowledged the complexity of resolving a 30-year crisis but stressed that the president’s actions have restored connectivity and hope. Fubara pledged to sustain the peace process, manage emerging conflicts, and urged Ogoni leaders to engage youths in allowing access for repairs to faulty oil facilities — a preventive measure against new spills during remediation.
The visit arrives at a pivotal moment: HYPREP’s recent scorecards (July–December 2025) highlight major milestones in remediation, with plans for over 1,500 direct jobs from mangrove and shoreline projects in 2026, plus skills training for more than 2,000 youths and women. The Ogoni process is increasingly positioned as a national model for reconciliation, environmental justice, and inclusive development.
Whether this momentum translates into full oil resumption without reigniting old tensions will depend on sustained dialogue, transparent implementation, and community buy-in. For now, the federal show of force — and explicit praise for Fubara — sends a clear signal: Abuja sees Rivers, and particularly Ogoni, as ground zero for a renewed Niger Delta. The stakes are high, but so is the promised payoff.
