Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has said the proposed restart of oil exploration in Ogoniland after more than three decades could mark a major turning point for the country’s economic recovery and long-term stability.
Ribadu stated that the Federal Government is carefully considering the resumption of oil activities in the oil-rich Ogoni area of Rivers State, stressing that lessons have been learnt from the past and that any new phase would prioritise peace, environmental protection, and the welfare of host communities.
According to him, the return of oil exploration to Ogoniland has the potential to significantly boost national revenue, create jobs, and contribute to resolving some of Nigeria’s lingering economic challenges. He added that sustainable development in the Niger Delta remains critical to the country’s overall security and prosperity.
Oil production in Ogoniland was halted in the early 1990s following widespread environmental degradation, community agitation, and the execution of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders. Since then, the region has become a symbol of environmental injustice and resistance to oil exploitation.
Ribadu emphasized that the government is engaging with community leaders, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure that trust is rebuilt and that any resumption of oil activities is carried out transparently and responsibly.
He also noted that peace in the Niger Delta is essential to Nigeria’s energy security, adding that a successful Ogoni restart could send a strong signal that dialogue and inclusion can resolve long-standing conflicts.
As discussions continue, stakeholders insist that environmental remediation, fair compensation, and community consent must remain central to any decision to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland.
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