Stakeholders in Ogoniland, Rivers State, including the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, and traditional rulers, have lauded President Bola Tinubu for signing the bill establishing the University of Environment and Technology, Tai, in Ogoni.
The President signed the bill at a ceremony at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, in the presence of key officials, including the senator representing Ogoniland, Mpigi Barinada; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; and Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Speaking after signing the bill, Tinubu acknowledged the historical challenges faced by the Ogoni people.
“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,” he said.
The approval followed a recent meeting between Tinubu and Ogoni leaders at the State House, during which the President also expressed his intention to resume oil exploration activities in the region. He directed Ribadu to lead negotiations with all stakeholders.
Reacting to the development, the Paramount Ruler of Bagha Kingdom in the Khana Local Government Area, Suanu Baridam, who was part of the Ogoni delegation that met with the President, welcomed the move but emphasised the need for immediate funding.
“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 MOSOP leader, Fegalo Nsuke, praised Tinubu, stating that his name would be remembered 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, activist and Team Lead at the People’s Advancement Centre, Celestine Akpobari, cautioned against linking the university’s approval 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 said.
Meanwhile, oil-bearing communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State have threatened mass action over their alleged exclusion from negotiations on oil resumption in Ogoniland.
The affected communities—Mogho, K-Dere, B-Dere, Bera, Bodo, Kpor, and Gbe—stated that while they were not opposed to oil production resumption, they rejected being sidelined in discussions.
A communiqué issued after a meeting on Saturday, signed by traditional rulers from the affected areas, expressed concern that those most impacted by oil exploration had not been consulted.
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.
While expressing cautious optimism about the Federal Government’s move, they warned that farmers and fishermen—who had previously suffered from oil pollution—must be part of negotiations.
“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 further threatened to make their lands inaccessible if they continued to be excluded.
“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 renewed discussions on oil exploration, Ogoni remains at a critical juncture. The Federal Government now faces the challenge of balancing developmental commitments with historical grievances as the region seeks justice and progress.
