The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has described the long-awaited re-entry into Ogoniland as a historic turning point for the nation—one that goes beyond oil production to embrace reconciliation, justice, and inclusive development.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the company said the initiative reflects not only Nigeria’s commitment to resolving long-standing disputes in Ogoni but also its determination to attract responsible investment while ensuring that community development remains central to national progress.
President Bola Tinubu, speaking on Wednesday at the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Report at the State House, Abuja, acknowledged the decades of pain endured by the Ogoni people and pledged that the government was committed to healing and renewal.
“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,” the President said.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, echoed the President’s remarks, calling the re-entry plan a “bold step towards justice, healing, and national prosperity.” He said it affirms NNPC’s resolve to confront the past, honour sacrifices, and chart a new path of equity and progress.
“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 declared.
According to him, the milestone illustrates how President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is being translated into action—strengthening Nigeria, creating conditions for sustainable investment, and prioritising the prosperity of host communities.
Ojulari praised the pivotal leadership of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for convening a stakeholder committee that laid the groundwork for dialogue and consensus. He also commended Professor Don Baridam and members of the Presidential Committee for conducting transparent engagements that produced a fair and inclusive report.
He stressed that NNPC’s renewed operations in Ogoniland would be anchored on trust, with a strong focus on community engagement, infrastructure development, and local enterprise empowerment. Already, the company has embarked on road construction, infrastructure upgrades, and economic empowerment initiatives in the area.
“NNPC Ltd is determined to transform Ogoniland from a symbol of conflict into a beacon of reconciliation, renewal, and sustainable progress,” Ojulari said.
For his part, the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, described the outcome as proof that sustainable progress is possible through collaboration, while Professor Baridam thanked President Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to the Ogoni people.
Beyond Nigeria, the development is being positioned as a global example of how resource-rich nations can balance energy security with environmental protection and community inclusion.
“By placing community benefit at the centre, Nigeria is rewriting the global playbook on how oil and gas operations can co-exist with local aspirations,” the statement added.
For Nigeria, the Ogoni re-entry signals that progress is no longer measured by output alone but by partnerships between government, industry, and the people.