- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), has reaffirmed its commitment to peace, dialogue, and responsible energy development in Ogoniland.
Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, made this known while speaking during a Federal Government delegation’s visit to Ogoniland, in Rivers.
Ojulari, in a statement issued on Tuesday by Andy Odeh, the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, described the Federal Government’s renewed engagement as a demonstration of hope and a new beginning built on partnership and understanding.
“This visit is a demonstration of hope. It affirms the commitment of the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, to peace, dialogue, and rebuilding trust.
“For NNPC Limited, it marks a new beginning—one grounded in partnership, mutual respect, and shared responsibility,” Ojulari stated.
While acknowledging the painful history of Ogoniland, the GCEO emphasised that recognising the past is essential to building a different future.
He commended the Presidential Committee on Ogoni Re-entry, led by Prof. Don Baridam, and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu
Ribadu, for their steady leadership in building confidence and trust.
He said the NNPC Ltd.’s mission in Ogoniland was beyond resource extraction, and placed people, livelihoods, and the environment at the centre of its operations.
Reaffirming NNPC Ltd.’s responsibility to host communities, the Group CEO
offered assurances on welfare, security, and opportunity.
“I am delighted to share that one of our commitments to the people of Ogoni is becoming a reality.
“The process for the full-time employment of 30 Ogoni indigenes has reached its final stage, with employment offers already issued.
“We look forward with pride to welcoming them as they resume work in January 2026, marking a meaningful step toward shared progress and opportunity for our communities.,” he said.
Gov. Siminalayi Fubara expressed gratitude for Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to finding lasting solutions to a decades-long, recurring issue in Ogoniland, which is now beginning to yield positive results.
“We had our first meeting with Mr President, and certain commitments were made to improve the quality of life in Ogoniland.
“He has begun to fulfill those promises, starting with road construction.
$We were assured of confidence-building efforts, the establishment of a University of Environment, hospitals, an industrial park, employment opportunities, and several other initiatives.
“As of today, 30 young men and women of Ogoni origin have already been employed by NNPC Ltd.” he said.
In his remarks, Ribadu, who represented Tinubu thanked the Rivers Governor and Ogoniland stakeholders for their collective efforts in addressing long-standing challenges inherited in the region.
Located in Ogoniland and operated by the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), a flagship upstream subsidiary of NNPC Ltd, OML-11 is Nigeria’s largest onshore block, with Ogoniland holding over 40 per cent of its recoverable reserves.