KEY POINTS
- NNPC says Ogoniland re entry is built on dialogue, trust and environmental responsibility
- Thirty Ogoni indigenes have received full time employment offers from NNPC
- Federal and state leaders say confidence building measures are already showing results
Nigeria’s state energy firm has restated its commitment to peace and dialogue in Ogoniland, describing the federal government’s renewed engagement with the oil producing area as a turning point after decades of tension and mistrust.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited said the approach to Ogoniland places partnership, environmental responsibility and community wellbeing at the centre of its operations. The comments were made on Monday during a visit by a federal government delegation to communities in the area.
NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Bayo Ojulari said acknowledging Ogoniland’s painful past was necessary to chart a more inclusive future. He described the visit as a signal of hope and a clear demonstration of the government’s intention to rebuild trust with host communities.
Jobs and development tied to trust building
Ojulari said the re entry process was guided by dialogue rather than force, stressing that energy development must not come at the expense of people’s livelihoods or the environment. He praised the Presidential Committee on Ogoni Re entry, chaired by Professor Don Baridam, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for what he called steady leadership in restoring confidence.
According to Ojulari, NNPC’s presence in Ogoniland is no longer defined solely by oil extraction. He said the company now views host communities as partners whose welfare and security are critical to long term stability.
As part of confidence building efforts, Ojulari announced that the recruitment of 30 Ogoni indigenes into full time roles at NNPC had reached its final stage. Employment offers have already been issued, with the new staff expected to resume duties in January 2026. He described the move as a meaningful step toward shared progress.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara welcomed the renewed engagement, thanking President Bola Tinubu for what he called a sincere effort to address a long standing crisis. Fubara said discussions with the president produced commitments aimed at improving living standards in Ogoniland.
He cited road construction, plans for a University of Environment, hospitals, an industrial park and employment opportunities as early signs that the promises were being implemented. The governor said the hiring of Ogoni youths by NNPC had boosted confidence among residents.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who represented the president during the visit, thanked community leaders and state officials for their cooperation. He said collective efforts had helped reduce tensions in Rivers State, adding that Ogoniland’s support was central to sustaining peace and national stability.
Ribadu said the federal government remained committed to dialogue as the most effective path to resolving inherited challenges in the region.
