Ogun admits error over oil exploration site as community kicks

Indigenes of Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State have petitioned Governor Dapo Abiodun over an alleged plan to shift the approved site for oil exploration from Tongeji Island to another location.

In the petition dated January 23, 2026, and signed by the Baamofin of Ipokia Kingdom, Barrister Lawal Orisadare, on behalf of Concerned Ipokia Local Government Indigenes, the community urged the governor to clarify the exact location approved for oil exploration in the state.

The petitioners alleged that some individuals were already using the media to reinterpret the governor’s earlier statement that President Bola Tinubu had approved oil exploration at Tongeji Island.

The reports that a statement issued by the Ogun State Government on Thursday quoted Abiodun as saying, while receiving the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, during a courtesy visit in Abeokuta:

Let me share with you that Mr President has approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling operations at Tongeji Island, and going forward, you will begin to see a lot of activities there.”

On Ogun Waterside, the governor was also quoted as saying: “Our proposed Olokola Port, which has been on the drawing board for several years, is now back on the table. I want to sincerely thank Mr President because this is solely his initiative. In the last two weeks alone, we have held several meetings on Olokola, and Mr President has clearly expressed his desire to see the port become a reality.”

However, conflicting reports later emerged in some online media suggesting that the oil exploration was meant for Eba community in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.

Reacting to the reports, the Ipokia indigenes wrote to the governor, insisting that oil deposits in Tongeji Island had long been confirmed in commercial quantities and describing the resource as critical to the economic future of the area and the state.

“We, the concerned indigenes of Ipokia Local Government Area, write to express our concerns and seek urgent clarification regarding the exact site approved for oil exploration in Ogun State. Oil deposits in Tongeji Island have long been confirmed to exist in commercial quantities. This resource represents an enormous opportunity for economic development in our region and for Ogun State as a whole,” the petition stated.

They said successive administrations had consistently identified Tongeji Island as the focus of oil exploration efforts in Ogun State.

Raising security concerns, the indigenes claimed the oil discovery had attracted foreign interest, alleging that the Republic of Benin had in the past made attempts to take over the island due to the presence of oil.

“For many years, various administrations in Ogun State, from the military era through successive civilian governments, have recognised and advocated for the exploration of oil in Tongeji Island as a pathway to making Ogun State an oil-producing state,” the petition read.

“The discovery of oil in Tongeji Island has made the island particularly attractive to the Government of the Republic of Benin, which has reportedly made overtures to the inhabitants. This situation is a cause for concern, especially given the potential threat to our sovereignty should these overtures gain traction.

“The consistent presence of the Nigerian Navy on the island has been pivotal in maintaining security and supporting our local community against such external influences.”

The indigenes said they were initially encouraged by what they described as the governor’s announcement that Tinubu had approved oil exploration in Tongeji Island but were later confused by reports suggesting a shift to Eba in Ogun Waterside.

Recently, your administration announced that Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government was designated as the approved community for oil exploration. This announcement generated significant excitement and hope among the residents.

“We have been alarmed by reports suggesting that the approved site for oil exploration may have shifted to Eba in Ogun Waterside, while also mentioning a deep seaport in Ogun East Senatorial District. This abrupt change in narrative has left the people of Ipokia Local Government confused and concerned,” they said.

The petitioners also accused the Ogun State Government of neglecting development in Ipokia Local Government, citing the abandoned Ogun State Polytechnic established during the administration of former governor Ibikunle Amosun.

They said despite assessments carried out during Abiodun’s first term by officials including the Commissioners for Works and Housing, no meaningful development had taken place, leaving the facilities overgrown and dilapidated.

The indigenes urged the governor to reaffirm the approval for oil exploration in Tongeji Island.

“Given these circumstances, we urge your administration to reaffirm and maintain the approval for oil exploration in Tongeji Island, as was originally conveyed. Any deviation from this commitment would be a significant setback to our aspirations,” they said.

Our first statement wrong — Ogun govt

Reacting, the Ogun State Government admitted that its earlier statement wrongly indicated that drilling would commence on Tongeji Island.

The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the governor, Kayode Akinmade, told The PUNCH that the press officer who drafted the statement misrepresented the governor.

“It was not Tongeji. I’m the one that sent the statement out. What happened was that the press officer who wrote the statement was misinformed. When the story went out, I contacted editors who withdrew it, but unfortunately, it had already spread widely on social media,” Akinmade said.

He explained that the governor had referred to Eba community in Ogun Waterside as the approved exploration site.

“What the Governor said was that the President has approved exploration in Eba, in Ogun Waterside. The area is just a few kilometres from the Olokola deep seaport, which has also been approved for action.

“Tongeji Island also has oil in commercial quantity, but there is a lot of infrastructure that needs to be put in place. Tongeji is offshore and can only be accessed through the Atlantic Ocean. It also shares a border with the Republic of Benin,” he added.

Akinmade further noted that oil had been discovered in Eba many years ago, adding that this was why the Dangote Group had initially considered siting its refinery there before relocating to Lekki, Lagos State.

He appealed to the people of Ipokia to remain calm, stressing that significant infrastructure would be required before oil exploration activities could commence on Tongeji Island.

Culled from punch