Fubara Endorses Tinubu’s Ogoni Reset as Ribadu Leads Federal Team to Rivers on Niger Delta Progress
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has restated his administration’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed push for peace, development, and environmental justice in the Niger Delta, asserting that the decades-old Ogoni question is finally witnessing measurable progress across infrastructure, employment, and remediation efforts.
The Governor made the remarks on Monday, December 22, 2025, while receiving a senior federal delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, PulseNets learnt.
Members of the delegation included the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi; the Minister of Environment, Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal; and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari.
Governor Fubara, while acknowledging the intervention of President Tinubu in Ogoniland, said the President demonstrated uncommon political will by confronting issues that had lingered unresolved for more than 30 years. According to the Governor, recognising this effort is a responsibility for all stakeholders genuinely committed to the advancement of Rivers State.
“The first duty of anyone who truly loves this state is to appreciate Mr. President. For over three decades, one single issue kept resurfacing. I sincerely thank him for the courage, resolve, and firmness to say, ‘we must begin somewhere,’” Fubara told PulseNets.
He explained that renewed trust and engagement with the Ogoni people are already translating into real outcomes, particularly in job creation, as more Ogoni indigenes are now being employed by the NNPCL under a more secure and confidence-driven arrangement.
“As we speak today, more men and women from Ogoni land have secured employment with NNPCL. Perhaps we mishandled the situation in the past and lost ground, but I am glad that assurance, encouragement, and confidence are gradually returning,” the Governor stated.
Governor Fubara further reflected that such opportunities were previously elusive because host communities were often viewed as a security risk to oil operations—an assumption he noted is steadily being dismantled.
On infrastructure delivery, the Governor highlighted visible improvements on critical federal road corridors, especially the East-West Road, stressing that sections once synonymous with gridlock and breakdowns have now become accessible.
Turning to education and social investment, Fubara announced that the Federal University of Environment has commenced its admission processes, describing the development as part of broader confidence-building initiatives that also include new healthcare facilities and an industrial park within the state.
The Governor also appealed directly to youths in oil-producing communities to grant access for oil spill response and facility repairs, warning that denial of access only deepens environmental damage.
“When there is a spill and operators need to fix it, they should be allowed. Blocking access only drags us back to square one. These facilities are old, and some failures occur naturally due to age,” he explained.
PulseNets obtained that Governor Fubara disclosed that the new owners of former Shell assets had approached him for intervention, not to initiate fresh drilling, but to address environmental concerns and prevent further degradation.
Reassuring the NSA of the state’s commitment to peace, the Governor urged patience as Rivers State navigates long-delayed reforms and development milestones.
Responding, NSA Nuhu Ribadu conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation for the cooperation of the Rivers State Government, noting that the relative peace currently enjoyed in the state is the result of sustained synergy between federal and state authorities.
Describing Ogoniland as a metaphor for national rebirth, Ribadu said, “Ogoniland today represents a turning point for Nigeria. A fresh chapter is opening. The country will not return to what it used to be. Change is happening, and it is beginning with Ogoni.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, commended Governor Fubara for his support toward the ongoing reconstruction of the East-West Road. He outlined several Niger Delta infrastructure projects initiated under the Tinubu administration and revealed that the President has directed that a section of the proposed coastal road should pass through Ogoniland, with design work already underway to enable construction from Rivers State.
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The Minister of Environment, Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, spoke to PulseNets on progress recorded in Ogoniland’s environmental remediation, highlighting key milestones achieved so far.
In his remarks, NNPCL GCEO, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, reported that the Corporation has engaged 30 Ogoni youths who are scheduled to resume duties in January 2026, reaffirming the company’s commitment to inclusive employment and sustainable development in host communities.
