Tinubu Moves to Restart Oil Production in Ogoniland, Honours Ogoni 4

By Diafa Doubra,

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced plans to revive oil production in Ogoniland, Rivers State, decades after operations were halted due to environmental and human rights concerns. The move comes alongside his decision to honour the memory of the Ogoni 4 — activists who lost their lives during the struggle for environmental justice in the Niger Delta.

Speaking on the government’s commitment, Tinubu emphasized that restarting oil activities would be carried out responsibly, with strong attention to environmental sustainability and community development. He assured that the mistakes of the past would not be repeated, promising that host communities would be carried along in decision-making.

The announcement has stirred cautious optimism among stakeholders. While some view it as a step toward economic revival and job creation, others insist that the government must first address issues of environmental degradation, compensation, and trust-building with the Ogoni people.

Observers say the success of the project will depend largely on how well the government balances oil production with the urgent need to restore the polluted lands and waters of Ogoniland.