By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has described its re-entry into Ogoniland as a historic turning point for Nigeria, reflecting the broader vision of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the company said the milestone demonstrates a commitment to building a stronger nation, attracting responsible investment, and ensuring that community development remains central to national progress.
Speaking at the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Report at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, President Tinubu acknowledged the decades of hardship endured by the Ogoni people, noting that the re-entry represents government’s recognition of their sacrifices.
“We are not, as a government, taking lightly the years of pain endured in Ogoniland. We declare with conviction that hope is here and is back with us,” Tinubu said.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Ojulari, described the re-entry as a reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to the Ogoni re-entry plan and a bold step toward justice, healing, and prosperity.
“The re-entry into Ogoniland is not just about oil and gas. It is about justice, healing, and charting a new future for our nation,” Ojulari stated. He added that the initiative illustrates how equity, environmental stewardship, and inclusive nation-building can coexist within Nigeria’s development agenda.
Ojulari credited the breakthrough to the leadership of National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who convened a committee of diverse stakeholders, and to the efforts of Professor Don Baridam and the Presidential Committee, which worked to ensure fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in the process.
He noted that NNPC has already commenced road construction, infrastructure upgrades, and economic empowerment programmes to rebuild trust and demonstrate accountability. “NNPC Ltd is determined to transform Ogoniland from a symbol of conflict into a beacon of reconciliation, renewal, and sustainable progress,” he said.
Ribadu, in his remarks, emphasised that the report reflected intensive and transparent engagement, proving that sustainable progress is achievable through collaboration. Professor Baridam also thanked President Tinubu for his commitment to the Ogoni people, stressing that trust was earned through diplomacy and dialogue.
The re-entry, officials noted, also sends a message to the international community: Nigeria is pioneering a model where resource development aligns with environmental protection and community inclusion, setting an example for how oil and gas operations can coexist with local aspirations.
