Stakeholders in Ogoniland, Rivers State, including the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and traditional rulers, have praised President Bola Tinubu for signing the bill that establishes the University of Environment and Technology, Tai, in Ogoni.
The signing ceremony took place on Monday at the State House in Abuja, with notable attendees including Senator Mpigi Barinada, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
In his remarks after signing the bill, President Tinubu acknowledged the historical challenges faced by the Ogoni people, particularly environmental degradation, and emphasised the significance of establishing an educational institution in the region.
He remarked, “Ogoni has been at the forefront of our development and agitation and has suffered environmental degradation… To bring knowledge into that environment, in that area, to me, is the most significant thing from the Ministry of Education.”
The signing follows a recent meeting between the President and Ogoni leaders at the State House, during which Tinubu also discussed the resumption of oil exploration activities in the region.
He tasked Nuhu Ribadu with leading negotiations with all relevant stakeholders.
Traditional rulers, MOSOP applaud, urge further action
The Paramount Ruler of Bagha Kingdom, Suanu Baridam, a key member of the Ogoni delegation that met with President Tinubu, welcomed the signing of the bill but stressed the need for immediate funding to enable the university to commence operations.
He noted, “One of the items on the table during our meeting with the President was the signing of the bill into law. Now that it has been done, the next step is the release of funds for the university to commence operations. It is a significant step in the right direction, and for the first time, a President has made a promise to the Ogoni people and fulfilled it.”
MOSOP leader Fegalo Nsuke commended President Tinubu, stating that his name would be remembered in Ogoni history for this significant gesture.
“This is something we expected long ago. It will contribute to the development of Ogoni, but we still expect more from the President. The Ogoni people are critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s economy, and while we appreciate this gesture, we urge the President to do even more,” Nsuke said.
He further added, “In Ogoni history, he (Tinubu) has written his name in gold. The people will always appreciate this action and never forget what he has done.”
However, Celestine Akpobari, an activist and Team Lead at the People’s Advancement Centre, cautioned against linking the approval of the university to the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
“President Tinubu has shown courage by taking this step where others hesitated. However, the university’s approval should be seen as the beginning of restitution for the years of oil extraction and environmental damage suffered by the Ogoni people,” Akpobari said.
He urged the government not to view the university as a bargaining chip for the resumption of oil exploration, pointing out the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods due to past oil extraction.
“Over 2,000 innocent people were killed, and livelihoods were destroyed. The university is merely the start of restitution, not a bargaining chip for oil extraction,” he added.
Meanwhile, oil-bearing communities in Gokana Local Government Area have threatened mass action over their exclusion from negotiations on the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
The affected communities—Mogho, K-Dere, B-Dere, Bera, Bodo, Kpor, and Gbe—have expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that while they are not opposed to the resumption of oil production, they reject being sidelined in the discussions.
A communiqué issued after a meeting on Saturday, signed by traditional rulers from the affected areas, highlighted their concerns that those most impacted by oil exploration had not been consulted.
The signatories included the Paramount Rulers of Mogho, B-Dere, K-Dere, Bodo, Kpor, Gbe, and Bera.
The communiqué called for farmers and fishermen—who have suffered the brunt of oil pollution—to be given a central role in discussions on oil resumption.
“As stakeholders, farmers and fishermen must have a leading role in further discussions on oil resumption. We will not allow a process that ignores or sidelines the real landlords of these lands,” the statement read.
The communities warned that they would take action to make their lands inaccessible if they continued to be excluded from the negotiations.
“We note with interest the Federal Government’s call for a negotiated return of oil operations in Ogoni after over three decades of closure. However, as highly impacted communities, we will vehemently oppose any process that sidelines us,” the communiqué stated.
With the signing of the university bill and the renewed discussions on oil exploration, Ogoni finds itself at a critical juncture.
The Federal Government now faces the challenge of balancing developmental commitments with the region’s historical grievances.
As Ogoni seeks both justice and progress, the government must navigate the delicate process of addressing past wrongs while ensuring that future development benefits all stakeholders.
