Federal government weekend declared commitment to rapid development of Ogoniland as part of measures to reconcile with the communities and resume petroleum exploration and development years after Shell was forced to abandon operations in the area.

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President Bola Tinubu received the Ogoni Consultations Report last week at the State House in Abuja and acknowledged that the Ogoni people have endured long years of pain. He explained that ongoing efforts to resume petroleum industry operations in the area reflect the government’s recognition of their sacrifices.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited which leads industry operations in the country also described the re-entry into Ogoniland as a major step to building a stronger country, attracting responsible investment, and driving community development.

President Tinubu who received the Ogoni Consultations Report stated that government is taking the sacrifices of the Ogoni People seriously and expressed the hope that reconciling with the people would restore peace and trust among industry stakeholders.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, declared the company’s unwavering commitment to the Ogoni re-entry plan emphasized that the need to forge a new.

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The statement from NNPC Limited reads as follows.

“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 said.

“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 acknowledged the pivotal leadership of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in convening a committee that brought diverse stakeholders together, creating the platform for dialogue and consensus that made this breakthrough possible. He also praised the work of Professor Don Baridam and members of the Presidential Committee, who engaged tirelessly and transparently with all relevant parties to produce a report that tells a story of fairness and inclusivity that will ultimately bring closure and renew hope for the Ogoni people and all Nigerians.

“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,” he stated.

“To that end, Ojulari was categorical that in resuming operations in Ogoni, NNPC Ltd will continue to build trust by prioritizing community engagements with key stakeholders, investing in infrastructure, and empowering local enterprise.

“He confirmed that NNPC has already began initiatives in road construction, infrastructure upgrades, and economic empowerment programs designed to rebuild trust and demonstrate accountability in an inclusive manner. “NNPC Ltd is determined to transform Ogoniland from a symbol of conflict into a beacon of reconciliation, renewal, and sustainable progress,” he concluded.

“In his remarks, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, echoed the general sentiments that sustainable progress is possible and proven through collaboration with all parties concerned. He said the report was the outcome of an intensive, methodical, and transparent engagement, while Professor Baridam, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the President for his unwavering commitment to the well-being of the Ogoni people, stressing that through diplomacy and relentless insistence on dialogue, host community trust was earned, and hope restored.

“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.”