Ogoni Youths Oppose Oil Resumption Bori State: Demand Dialogue Committee Dissolution

• Ogoni youths oppose the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland unless the Federal Government creates Bori State.
• The Ogoni Youths Development Initiative (OYDI) sent a letter to President Bola Tinubu on September 8, 2026, outlining their demands and intention to protest.
• They demand the immediate dissolution of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, citing a complete loss of confidence due to a lack of transparency and inclusivity.
• The youths insist on a halt to 'clandestine' oil drilling activities during ongoing negotiations and adherence to the Ogoni Bill of Rights.
• They warn the Federal Government and joint-venture partners against forcing oil operations without addressing their core demands, including political autonomy through Bori State.

If the Federal Government is unable to grant this fundamental request for Bori State, then the oil within their land must remain untouched.

Youth organizations in Ogoniland, Rivers State, have issued a strong declaration, stating that any resumption of oil exploration activities in the region is contingent upon the Federal Government's creation of Bori State. This firm stance was communicated in a letter dated September 8, 2026, from Imeabe Saviour, President of the Ogoni Youths Development Initiative (OYDI), addressed to President Bola Tinubu. Copies of this crucial correspondence were also dispatched to several high-ranking officials, including the President of the Senate, the National Security Adviser, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).

The OYDI's communication, titled 'Notice of Protest Against Oil Resumption in Ogoniland Without Creation of Bori State,' explicitly details the group's intention to initiate a statewide protest in the coming weeks if their primary demand is not met. While the youth leadership acknowledges that oil exploration could potentially foster economic growth and development within Ogoniland, they are not fundamentally opposed to such activities. However, they insist on an immediate cessation of what they describe as covert oil drilling operations currently underway in the area, particularly while negotiations are still in progress.

Central to their position is the demand for the immediate dissolution of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, a body currently engaged in discussions with the Federal Government regarding the return of oil exploration to Ogoniland. The OYDI has expressed a complete loss of confidence in this committee, citing a lack of transparency, insufficient youth representation, and a failure to adequately represent the collective interests of the Ogoni people. They contend that the committee's operations are not only opaque but also undermine the community's long-standing struggle.

The youth group asserts that the Federal Government's approach to resuming oil operations lacks transparency, pointing to the ongoing laying of pipelines across Ogoniland even as discussions with stakeholders are purportedly still in progress. This action, they argue, serves as a stark illustration of insincerity. The OYDI believes that the activities of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee are conducted in bad faith, designed to exploit the Ogoni people and exacerbate existing divisions rather than genuinely addressing decades of suffering.

Consequently, the Ogoni Youths Development Initiative has called for the immediate disbandment of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, emphasizing that its operations are not inclusive of the youth demographic and do not reflect their collective interests. They insist that any activities related to oil resumption undertaken by this committee must be halted without delay. Furthermore, the OYDI demands strict adherence to the Ogoni Bill of Rights, stressing that the Federal Government must respect the foundational principles of their struggle, which include achieving political autonomy through the establishment of Bori State.

The call for Bori State creation is deeply rooted in the historical context of Ogoniland's struggles, serving as a critical measure to acknowledge the significant loss of life and the severe environmental degradation endured by the community. The OYDI highlights that a generation of Ogoni leaders perished during past crises in the region, and they view the creation of Bori State as the only outcome truly commensurate with these sacrifices and the environmental devastation suffered.

In a resolute statement, the youth group declared that if the Federal Government is unable to grant this fundamental request for Bori State, then the oil within their land must remain untouched. This position underscores the profound link between political self-determination and the control over natural resources, framing Bori State as an indispensable prerequisite for any future oil exploration activities in Ogoniland. The Ogoni youths are not merely opposing oil resumption; they are demanding a resolution to long-standing issues of justice and autonomy.

The Ogoni Youths Development Initiative has issued a stern warning to both the Federal Government and all joint-venture partners involved in oil exploration. They are advised to cease all surreptitious attempts to force oil operations back into Ogoniland without first addressing the core demands of the community. The planned statewide protest signals a significant escalation in the community's efforts to ensure their voices are heard and their conditions are met.

This development signals significant community opposition and operational risks for oil companies considering resuming activities in Ogoniland. It necessitates thorough due diligence on community demands, land rights, and engagement strategies to avoid legal challenges and operational disruptions. Lawyers should advise clients on the potential for protests and the need for transparent, inclusive dialogue mechanisms, as the youth's resolve to link Bori State creation with any future oil activities remains unwavering.

This development signals significant community opposition and operational risks for oil companies considering resuming activities in Ogoniland, necessitating thorough due diligence on community demands, land rights, and engagement strategies to avoid legal challenges and operational disruptions. Lawyers should advise clients on the potential for protests and the need for transparent, inclusive dialogue mechanisms.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH