Former APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dakuku Peterside, has expressed opposition to the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni land. This follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent move to establish the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoni.

On February 3, 2025, President Tinubu signed a bill to create the new university and promised more support for the Ogoni community. He also acknowledged the injustices the Ogonis have faced and called for a review of the Ogoni Bill of Rights. President Tinubu invited Ogoni elders for talks in Aso Rock to discuss potential plans to resume oil exploration after a long break, caused by serious environmental issues.

However, Dakuku Peterside, former Director General of NIMASA, stated that it would be too early to restart oil exploration in the area. He emphasized that the government must first address key issues before considering such a move.

“If I must be sincere with you, it will be premature to resume oil exploration in Ogoni land. What I think and I think that is the part the government has also chosen is to do further consultations, build trust and show genuine commitment to real environmental governance,” Peterside said to Channels Television on Wednesday

“The challenge all along has been the opaque nature of oil exploration not just in Ogoni land but in the entire Niger Delta.

“And the fact that the way benefits derivable from oil exploration is distributed to the exclusion of the people of Niger Delta is a big question mark. And until we address that in a transparent manner, then we will not make much progress,” he added.