President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in the Ogoni region of Rivers State, as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s oil production capacity and environmental stability. The reaffirmation comes at a time when global oil demand has surged past $540 billion, intensifying pressure on oil-producing nations like Nigeria to balance energy output with social and environmental responsibility.
Speaking through the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, during a stakeholders’ engagement in Port Harcourt, the President emphasized that peace in Ogoniland is central to Nigeria’s economic recovery and energy security. Tinubu noted that the government remains steadfast in implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on the environmental restoration of the Niger Delta, particularly the Ogoni cleanup project.
He stressed that the Ogoni peace process is not only about resolving long-standing grievances but also about creating a sustainable future for the people of the region. “Our government will not relent in its efforts to ensure peace, justice, and development in Ogoniland. The Ogoni issue is a national priority because of its direct link to environmental integrity and energy security,” Tinubu stated.
The President further acknowledged that the region’s vast oil reserves remain vital to Nigeria’s economy, but he emphasized that oil extraction must not come at the expense of human lives and ecological balance. “We are pursuing a path that harmonizes resource exploitation with environmental preservation and social justice. No community should suffer neglect in the process of nation-building,” he added.
The renewed peace initiative comes as international oil analysts report that global oil demand has exceeded $540 billion in 2025, driven by growing consumption in emerging economies, rising industrial activities, and geopolitical instability affecting supply chains. With this development, Nigeria is once again being called upon to increase production, particularly from its underutilized oil fields in the Niger Delta, including Ogoniland.
However, experts have warned that resuming large-scale oil production in Ogoni without genuine reconciliation and environmental restoration could reignite tensions. The region has a long history of unrest linked to environmental degradation, unemployment, and perceived marginalization. The death of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others in 1995 remains a painful reminder of the struggles for environmental justice in the area.
Minister Lokpobiri, representing the federal government, reiterated that the new Ogoni peace framework will be inclusive, transparent, and community-driven. He disclosed that the government plans to collaborate closely with traditional rulers, youth groups, women’s associations, and civil society organizations to ensure that peace talks lead to tangible development.
“We are working towards a new model of engagement that prioritizes dialogue over confrontation. The Ogoni people have suffered for too long due to pollution, conflict, and neglect. The Tinubu administration is committed to changing that narrative,” the minister assured.
He also mentioned that the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), which is overseeing the Ogoni cleanup, has made notable progress in recent months. Several contaminated sites have been remediated, and new livelihood programs are being introduced to empower communities affected by decades of oil spills.
Meanwhile, reactions from stakeholders in the region have been mixed. While some community leaders welcomed the renewed government attention, others urged the administration to match its words with action. Chief Friday Nkpah, a traditional ruler in Ogoni, commended the initiative but stressed that peace cannot be achieved without economic justice. “We appreciate the government’s renewed interest in Ogoni, but our people need jobs, infrastructure, and security. The oil in our land should be a blessing, not a curse,” he said.
Environmental activists have also urged the government to strengthen regulatory oversight over oil companies operating in the Niger Delta. They argue that multinational oil firms must be held accountable for environmental damage and compelled to invest in sustainable community projects.
At the same time, energy analysts view Tinubu’s renewed focus on Ogoni peace as strategic, especially amid rising global oil demand and the push for alternative energy sources. Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has been struggling with underproduction due to theft, vandalism, and aging infrastructure. The restoration of stability in key oil-producing regions could boost national output and enhance foreign exchange earnings.
Dr. Ngozi Eke, an energy economist at the University of Port Harcourt, observed that “Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the Ogoni issue if it wants to maximize the benefits of the current oil market. A peaceful and productive Niger Delta will not only increase revenue but also improve investor confidence in the energy sector.”
She added that Nigeria must leverage the ongoing global demand surge to fund clean energy transition projects and modernize oil infrastructure. “The world is still dependent on oil, but the transition to renewable energy is accelerating. Nigeria must position itself to benefit from both realities—by ensuring peace in oil-rich regions and investing in sustainable development,” she said.
The President’s renewed peace efforts also align with broader national energy reforms aimed at improving transparency, reducing gas flaring, and promoting local content in oil and gas operations. Tinubu’s administration has pledged to continue implementing fiscal incentives that attract investors while ensuring that host communities benefit directly from resource extraction.
In addition, the Ministry of Niger Delta Development has been tasked with accelerating infrastructural development in oil-bearing communities. This includes road construction, housing, water supply, and skill acquisition programs designed to reduce poverty and unemployment in the region.
Analysts believe that if the Ogoni peace initiative succeeds, it could serve as a model for resolving similar conflicts in other parts of the Niger Delta, where disputes between host communities and oil companies have led to periodic disruptions.
As the world’s oil markets remain volatile and competitive, Nigeria’s ability to maintain domestic stability in its oil-producing zones will be crucial to its economic future. Tinubu’s call for renewed dialogue in Ogoniland may, therefore, mark a turning point in Nigeria’s quest to harmonize energy development with social justice and environmental responsibility.
In conclusion, the reaffirmation of the Ogoni peace talks by President Tinubu comes at a decisive moment for Nigeria’s energy sector. With global oil demand soaring past $540 billion, the country faces both an opportunity and a challenge—to restore peace in the Niger Delta while securing its place in the evolving global energy landscape. The coming months will reveal whether the government’s renewed commitment will finally heal old wounds and pave the way for inclusive prosperity in Ogoniland.
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