The NNPCL has described the “re-entry into Ogoniland” as a historic milestone for Nigeria — one that goes beyond oil production and aligns with the spirit of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a statement issued on Friday by Andy Odeh, the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, the NNPCL said the re-entry represents a commitment to building a stronger nation, attracting responsible investment, and placing community development at the centre of national progress.
At the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Report in Abuja on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the long years of suffering endured by the Ogoni people, noting that the re-entry was a demonstration of government’s recognition of their sacrifices.
“We are not, as a government, taking lightly the years of pain endured in Ogoniland. We recognise that, otherwise we would not be here today…We declare with conviction that hope is here and is back with us,” the President said.
Bashir Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, echoed the President’s remarks, describing the re-entry as proof of the company’s commitment to justice, healing, and national 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.
“Ogoni re-entry can be seen as both a test and an opportunity for the country. It demonstrates that equity can exist in national development, and oil can co-exist with environmental stewardship and inclusive nation-building. This milestone is a practical example of how President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda translates into reality by strengthening our country, creating conditions for responsible investment, while prioritising the prosperity of host communities.”
Ojulari also credited the leadership of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for bringing diverse stakeholders together through dialogue and consensus, and praised Professor Don Baridam and the Presidential Committee for their transparent engagements that produced a report reflecting fairness and inclusivity.
He emphasised that the focus must extend beyond production volumes: “The lesson is that this journey cannot be driven solely by production volumes. It must be anchored on justice, equity, sustainability, and most importantly, collaboration with the very people whose land bears this wealth.”
Ojulari added that NNPC Ltd has already launched initiatives in road construction, infrastructure upgrades, and economic empowerment, with the aim of rebuilding trust and ensuring accountability.
“NNPC Ltd is determined to transform Ogoniland from a symbol of conflict into a beacon of reconciliation, renewal, and sustainable progress,” he said.
Similarly, Ribadu noted that the consultations and resulting report prove that lasting progress is possible through collaboration. Professor Baridam, speaking on behalf of the committee, thanked the President for his commitment to the Ogoni people, stressing that trust and hope were restored through persistent dialogue.
“This restored hope is also a message for the international community— Ogoni re-entry is more than a Nigerian milestone. It is a classic example of how a resource-rich nation like Nigeria can reconcile environmental protection with energy security. 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, sharing a global example of how energy development can be reconciled with environmental protection and community inclusion.
“For Nigeria, it signals progress is being redefined as a partnership between government, industry, and the people,” he said.