Tinubu honours Ogoni 4, moves to restart oil production in Ogoniland

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has posthumously conferred national honours on four late Ogoni leaders, Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage popularly referred to as the “Ogoni Four.”

The President announced the honours at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday while receiving the report of the Ogoni Consultative Committee.

Tinubu said the four men, who were executed in 1995 alongside Ken Saro-Wiwa and others, played notable roles in the history of Ogoniland, adding that their recognition symbolises national reconciliation and healing.

He urged the Ogoni people to unite and move past decades of division and unrest, saying, “I urge the Ogoni people to close ranks, put this dark chapter behind us, and move forward as one.”

Oil exploration in Ogoniland has been suspended since 1993 following protests over environmental degradation, which later led to the execution of Saro-Wiwa and eight other activists under the military regime of General Sani Abacha.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace, environmental restoration, and economic revival in the Niger Delta region. He also announced plans to restart oil production in Ogoniland, saying the move was backed by an “overwhelming consensus” among stakeholders and local communities.

“The last administration had transferred the operatorship of the Ogoni oil field to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its partners. My government will build on that foundation to ensure a peaceful and beneficial return to production,” Tinubu said.

The President directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin discussions with Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other relevant stakeholders to finalise modalities for the resumption of oil operations.

Presenting the report earlier, Chairman of the Ogoni Consultative Committee, Prof. Don Baridam, said the committee’s recommendations captured the collective will of the people and should serve as a framework for sustainable development and peace in the area.

Baridam said the engagement process included consultations with traditional rulers, youth groups, women leaders, and other key community figures to ensure inclusiveness and fairness.

Responding, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to lasting peace and inclusive development in Ogoniland and the entire Niger Delta.

“Peace is being restored already, and Nigerians will soon see the benefits not just in Ogoniland, but across the Niger Delta and beyond,” Ribadu said.