President Bola Tinubu has announced that the Federal Government is in advanced discussions with Ogoni leaders to end decades-long disputes that have hindered oil production in the region.
The President disclosed this on Wednesday during the official commissioning of the Otakikpo Crude Oil Export Terminal in Rivers State. Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring stability and boosting crude output in resource-rich areas like Ogoniland.
He emphasised that despite the global push for cleaner energy, oil and gas would remain crucial to the world’s energy mix for decades. Citing the International Energy Agency (IEA), Tinubu noted that the world must invest about $540 billion annually in upstream operations over the next 25 years to avoid an energy crisis.
“The government is already engaging with Ogoni leaders to find a lasting solution to the challenges in the area,” he said. “Once resolved, the Otakikpo terminal will serve as the main evacuation point for crude from Ogoni. This project is not just timely but strategic for Nigeria’s production growth.”
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Developed by Green Energy International Limited at a cost exceeding $400 million, the Otakikpo terminal, located in Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area, is the first indigenous-built export terminal in over 50 years.
Tinubu described the facility as a major milestone for Nigeria’s oil sector, enhancing crude evacuation capacity and showcasing the strength of indigenous participation in the nation’s energy industry.
