Nigeria has taken what many describe as a historic step towards reconciliation and sustainable development with the re-entry into Ogoniland, a community long associated with conflict over oil exploration.
At the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the move reflects his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes both national prosperity and host community well-being.
“We are not, as a government, taking lightly the years of pain endured in Ogoniland. We recognise that, otherwise we would not be here today. We declare with conviction that hope is here and is back with us,” President Tinubu said while receiving the Ogoni Consultations Report.
A Beacon of Reconciliation
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the development as more than an oil and gas project, stressing that it was about justice, healing, and charting a new future for the country.
“The re-entry into Ogoniland is not just about oil and gas. It is about justice, healing, and charting a new future for our nation,” Ojulari said.
He added that the process demonstrates Nigeria’s ability to confront its past, honour the sacrifices of host communities, and forge a new path where environmental protection, equity, and prosperity co-exist.
Ojulari also commended the role of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for leading the committee that facilitated consensus among stakeholders. He praised Professor Don Baridam and members of the Presidential Committee for producing a report that reflected fairness and inclusivity.
“The lesson is that this journey cannot be driven solely by production volumes. It must be anchored on justice, equity, sustainability, and most importantly, collaboration with the very people whose land bears this wealth,” Ojulari said.
Community-Centred Development
NNPC Ltd has pledged to anchor its Ogoni re-entry plan on community trust and sustainable development. According to Ojulari, the company has already begun infrastructure projects, including road construction and empowerment programmes for local enterprises.
“NNPC Ltd is determined to transform Ogoniland from a symbol of conflict into a beacon of reconciliation, renewal, and sustainable progress,” he stated.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, reinforced the importance of collaboration. He said the report was the result of “intensive, methodical, and transparent engagement,” and proof that durable peace is achievable when all stakeholders are carried along.
Professor Baridam, speaking on behalf of the committee, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his commitment to the Ogoni people. He said diplomacy and consistent dialogue had been key to winning back community trust.
A Global Example
The Ogoni re-entry is also being positioned as a message to the international community. Analysts say it signals a shift in how Nigeria intends to balance energy security with environmental protection and local development.
“This is more than a Nigerian milestone. It shows that oil and gas operations can coexist with community aspirations and environmental stewardship,” Ojulari noted.
For Nigeria, the breakthrough represents a redefined model of progress one where government, industry, and host communities work together as equal partners.
