Stakeholders in Ogoniland, Rivers State, including the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People and traditional rulers, have expressed their appreciation to 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, Abuja, with key officials in attendance, including Ogoni senator Mpigi Barinada, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
Following the signing, Tinubu acknowledged the historical challenges faced by the Ogoni people, stating, “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.”
This move came after a recent meeting between Tinubu and Ogoni leaders at the State House, during which the President also voiced his intention to resume oil exploration in the region.
He directed Ribadu to lead negotiations with all stakeholders.
The Paramount Ruler of Bagha Kingdom in Khana Local Government Area, Suanu Baridam, a member of the Ogoni delegation that met with the President, welcomed the signing of the bill but emphasized the importance of immediate funding to make the university operational.
“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,” he said.
A leader of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, praised the President, adding that Tinubu’s name would be etched in Ogoni history.
“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. 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,” Nsuke said.
However, an activist and Team Lead at the People’s Advancement Centre, Celestine Akpobari, cautioned against linking the university’s establishment to the immediate 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. The government should not assume that establishing a university—a facility other ethnic groups have without any sacrifices—justifies opening up the oil wells. 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 stated.
Meanwhile, oil-bearing communities in Gokana Local Government Area have threatened mass action over their alleged exclusion from the ongoing negotiations about oil resumption in Ogoniland.
The affected communities, including Mogho, K-Dere, B-Dere, Bera, Bodo, Kpor, and Gbe, have expressed concern that while they are not opposed to oil production resumption, they were not consulted during the discussions.
A communiqué issued after a meeting on Saturday, signed by the traditional rulers of the affected areas, highlighted the need for the most impacted communities to be part of the process.
The signatories included the Paramount Ruler of Mogho, Stephen Kpea; Paramount Ruler of B-Dere, Kadilo Sooh; Acting Paramount Ruler of K-Dere, Chief Isaac Gbeetee; Paramount Ruler of Bodo, John Berebon; Paramount Ruler of Kpor, Avalobari Ntaoh; Paramount Ruler of Gbe, Friday Dimkpa Gia; and Paramount Ruler of Bera, Magus Dekor.
The communiqué read, “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 communities further warned that they would 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. As a gateway to the Bonny Export Terminal, any negotiation that does not actively involve us will be rejected,” the communiqué stated.
With the signing of the university bill and ongoing talks about oil exploration, Ogoni stands at a critical crossroads.
The federal government now faces the challenge of balancing developmental aspirations with the historical grievances of the region as it seeks justice and progress.
