By Erewunmi Peace

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to immediately begin high-level engagement with stakeholders in Ogoniland aimed at restoring peace and resuming oil production in the region.

The president gave the order on Tuesday while receiving the report of the Presidential Committee on Ogoni Consultations, led by Prof. Don Baridam, at the State House in Abuja.

Tinubu described the decades-long conflict in Ogoniland as a “dark chapter” that should be put behind, urging all parties — including community leaders, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and security agencies — to work together in finding lasting solutions.

“The Ogoni people deserve justice, peace, and development. We must close ranks and put this dark chapter behind us. Dialogue, reconciliation, and cooperation will lead us forward,” the president said.

He emphasized that the renewed engagement will not only help stabilize the region but also unlock economic opportunities for local communities and Nigeria as a whole.

Ribadu is expected to coordinate consultations with community representatives, environmental groups, and industry stakeholders in the coming weeks.

The Ogoni struggle, which dates back to the 1990s, has been marked by environmental degradation, human rights concerns, and longstanding distrust between the people and the government over oil exploration. Tinubu’s directive signals a fresh attempt at reconciliation and economic revival in the region.