Youth groups from Ogoniland and the South-South took to the streets of Port Harcourt on Monday to protest the alleged neglect of the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Saakpenwa, Rivers State by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The demonstration, organized by the Ogoni Youths Development Initiative and the South-South Youths Initiative, saw participants marching through major streets, demanding urgent funding and support for the institution, commonly referred to as FUET.
Last week, the Global President of the Ogoni Youths Development Initiative, Imeabe Saviour, had issued a seven-day notice to NNPCL management, urging the company to comply with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to fund the university. He warned that a protest would follow if the directive was ignored.
During Monday’s march, Saviour accused NNPCL of disregarding the presidential directive and failing to act on the group’s repeated calls to provide support for the university.
Protesters carried placards with inscriptions including ‘Ogoni University Must Be Funded by NNPCL’, ‘NNPC Pay FUET Contractors’, ‘NNPC Adhere to Mr President’s Directive’, and ‘NNPC Fund Our Ogoni University’.
Saviour noted that the Federal Government established the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Saakpenwa, on February 3, 2025, and that NNPCL, mandated to fund the university’s development, had not released the necessary funds.
He alleged that this failure had stalled critical infrastructure projects, leaving students without adequate hostel accommodation and lecture halls, and contractors unpaid despite having taken loans to execute the projects.
“As we speak, no funds have been released to the university as directed by the President. Students do not have access to lecture halls, laboratories, or hostel facilities. Contractors who undertook projects at the university are also stranded after taking loans to execute the work. The students are stranded, contractors are also stranded. These contractors took out loans for the project in that school. NNPCL, led by Bashi Ojulari, directed that the school or the project should go ahead,” Saviour stated.
He emphasized that the university was part of confidence-building measures by the Federal Government following discussions on the proposed resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland, and called on the President Tinubu-led government to show commitment to the area’s welfare and development.
“We are here today for a peaceful protest to express our dissatisfaction with what we consider neglect. If our demands are not met, we will escalate the protest and take it to the NNPC headquarters in Abuja. We are just here for a warning protest. If the NNPCL or Mr President refuse to address our demand, we’ll be forced to come back here tomorrow and then after tomorrow we’ll be going to NNPC Tower in Abuja. To actually tell NNPCL, led by Bashir Bayo Ojulari, that we are not comfortable and that we are not happy with the high level of negligence that we are being faced with at this time,” he added.
Responding to the protest, Mfon Ati, Head of Corporate Services and Administration of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in Port Harcourt, urged the group to formally follow up on their correspondence with NNPCL in Abuja. He commended the protesters for maintaining a peaceful conduct and encouraged them to remain patient while the company reviews their submissions.
“I appreciate the fact that you came here peacefully. I encourage you to maintain that peace and follow up on your letter, either by sending representatives or issuing a reminder. I believe the leadership will respond to your concerns. You came peaceably and I will enjoin you to keep that peace. Do a follow-up by sending your representative or a reminder letter, and I’m sure you will be responded to,” Ati said.
