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Monarchs, MOSOP Hail Tinubu Over Ogoni Varsity Approval
Stakeholders in Ogoniland, Rivers State, including the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), and traditional rulers, have lauded President Bola Tinubu for signing the bill establishing the University of Environment and Technology, Tai, in Ogoni.
The President signed the bill at a ceremony at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, in the presence of key officials, including the senator representing Ogoniland, Mpigi Barinada; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; and Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Speaking after signing the bill, Tinubu acknowledged the historical challenges faced by the Ogoni people.
“Ogoni has been at the forefront of our development and agitation and has suffered environmental degradation… To bring knowledge into that environment, in that area, to me, is the most significant thing from the Ministry of Education,” he said.
The approval followed a recent meeting between Tinubu and Ogoni leaders at the State House, during which the President also expressed his intention to resume oil exploration activities in the region.
He directed Ribadu to lead negotiations with all stakeholders.
Reacting to the development, the Paramount Ruler of Bagha Kingdom in the Khana Local Government Area, Suanu Baridam, who was part of the Ogoni delegation that met with the President, welcomed the move but emphasised the need for immediate funding.
“One of the items on the table during our meeting with the President was the signing of the bill into law. Now that it has been done, the next step is the release of funds for the university to commence operations. It is a significant step in the right direction, and for the first time, a President has made a promise to the Ogoni people and fulfilled it,” he said.
A MOSOP leader, Fegalo Nsuke, praised Tinubu, stating that his name would be remembered in Ogoni history.
“This is something we expected long ago. It will contribute to the development of Ogoni, but we still expect more from the President. The Ogoni people are critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s economy, and while we appreciate this gesture, we urge the President to do even more.
“In Ogoni history, he (Tinubu) has written his name in gold. The people will always appreciate this action and never forget what he has done,” Nsuke said.
However, activist and Team Lead at the People’s Advancement Centre, Celestine Akpobari, cautioned against linking the university’s approval to the immediate resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
“President Tinubu has shown courage by taking this step where others hesitated. However, the university’s approval should be seen as the beginning of restitution for the years of oil extraction and environmental damage suffered by the Ogoni people.
“The government should not assume that establishing a university—a facility other ethnic groups have without any sacrifices—justifies opening up the oil wells. Over 2,000 innocent people were killed, and livelihoods were destroyed. The university is merely the start of restitution, not a bargaining chip for oil extraction,” he said.
Meanwhile, oil-bearing communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State have threatened mass action over their alleged exclusion from negotiations on oil resumption in Ogoniland.
The affected communities—Mogho, K-Dere, B-Dere, Bera, Bodo, Kpor, and Gbe—stated that while they were not opposed to oil production resumption, they rejected being sidelined in discussions.
A communiqué issued after a meeting on Saturday, signed by traditional rulers from the affected areas, expressed concern that those most impacted by oil exploration had not been consulted.
The signatories included the Paramount Ruler of Mogho, Stephen Kpea; Paramount Ruler of B-Dere, Kadilo Sooh; Acting Paramount Ruler of K-Dere, Chief Isaac Gbeetee; Paramount Ruler of Bodo, John Berebon; Paramount Ruler of Kpor, Avalobari Ntaoh; Paramount Ruler of Gbe, Friday Dimkpa Gia; and Paramount Ruler of Bera, Magus Dekor.
While expressing cautious optimism about the Federal Government’s move, they warned that farmers and fishermen—who had previously suffered from oil pollution—must be part of negotiations.
“As stakeholders, farmers and fishermen must have a leading role in further discussions on oil resumption. We will not allow a process that ignores or sidelines the real landlords of these lands,” the statement read.
The communities further threatened to make their lands inaccessible if they continued to be excluded.
“We note with interest the Federal Government’s call for a negotiated return of oil operations in Ogoni after over three decades of closure. However, as highly impacted communities, we will vehemently oppose any process that sidelines us.
“As a gateway to the Bonny Export Terminal, any negotiation that does not actively involve us will be rejected,” the communiqué stated.
With the signing of the university bill and renewed discussions on oil exploration, Ogoni remains at a critical juncture. The Federal Government now faces the challenge of balancing developmental commitments with historical grievances as the region seeks justice and progress.
The Federal Government of Nigeria is strengthening ties with Germany to promote foreign direct investment and stimulate economic growth.
The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this yesterday while welcoming a delegation from the IHK Giessen-Friedberg Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Germany.
The delegation’s visit aims to enhance Nigeria’s economic relations with Germany and explore opportunities for investment and job creation, particularly in vocational training, skilled migration, and business development.
Addressing the delegation, Oduwole emphasised the alignment between the German initiatives and the ministry’s priorities.
“It is a pleasure to welcome you and to hear what you have in store. One of our priority programmes, which you mentioned—the National Talent Export Programme—we are repositioning to scale up Nigerian youth in terms of services, vocational training, and managed skills migration,” she said.
The event also highlighted Nigeria’s growing potential as a key player in international trade, leveraging its young, skilled workforce to meet the increasing demand for labour in Germany. This includes structured migration pathways that benefit both economies.
Oduwole expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “We are always open to opportunities for Nigerian youth,” and extended her support for the forthcoming The World Meets in Giessen conference in Germany.
The German delegation was led by the President of the Giessen Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Matthias Leder.
In his address, Leder emphasised the mutual benefits of their continued cooperation, focusing on two key areas: investment opportunities and skilled labour migration.
He invited Nigeria to participate in the upcoming World Meets in Giessen conference, which aims to connect businesses from around the world in a B2B format.
“We offer a B2B conference where companies from all over the world can come to Giessen to network and pitch. To support these companies, we also invite honourable ministers, ambassadors, and consul generals, as these excellencies serve as the perfect door openers to enter a foreign market,” he said.
Leder also discussed the success of the dual vocational training system implemented in Nigeria, which has significantly reduced youth unemployment.
“We have already implemented this in Nigeria, in Abuja, Abeokuta, and Lagos, and it was successful. More than 95 per cent of the apprentices in these three locations received job offers,” he shared.
“We are convinced that this is a key factor for Nigeria’s development and growth,” he added.
The partnership between Nigeria and Germany is set to create long-term economic opportunities, focusing on workforce development, improved labour mobility, and increased investment.
This collaboration is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s economy, generate employment for its youthful population, and attract international businesses eager to tap into the country’s growing market.
In his remarks, the Managing Partner of Bruit Costaud, Lai Mohammed, underscored the importance of cooperation between the two nations.
“We deeply appreciate your time and engagement, and we believe this collaboration will yield meaningful outcomes that will further strengthen the economic and trade relationship between Nigeria and Germany,” Mohammed said.
Following President Bola Tinubu’s approval of bills establishing development commissions across various regions, the Senate has made minor adjustments, appointing new chairmen and deputy chairmen to oversee these commissions.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio who announced the new chairmen and their deputies yesterday at the plenary said, “Senator Babangida Hussaini and Senator Muntari Dandutse will serve as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North West Development Commission.
“Similarly, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Senator Kenneth Eze have been appointed as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, while Senator Titus Zam and Senator Isa Jibrin will head the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission.”
The Senate also reshuffled some standing committees.
Abdul Ningi was moved from the Population Committee to chair the Senate Committee on FERMA.
Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, formerly in charge of the Local Content Committee, now leads the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Other appointments include “Senator Garba Maidoki as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development and Joel Thomas as the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content. Victor Umeh, formerly leading the Diaspora Committee, will now chair the Senate Committee on National Population and NIMC”.
Akpabio praised lawmakers for their commitment during the 2025 budget defence sessions.
He emphasised their role in ensuring a viable financial plan for the year.
The Senate extended condolences to the Speaker of the House of Representatives over the passing of former Deputy Majority Whip, Oriyomi Onanuga, on January 15.
Akpabio led lawmakers in observing a minute of silence in her honour before adjourning plenary.
Mobile Network Operators have ruled out negotiations with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the recent 50 per cent tariff increase, insisting that no reduction will be made despite union protests.
The stance was articulated at a forum held over the weekend in Lagos, where representatives from major operators—including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, and 9mobile—addressed concerns surrounding the adjustment approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission on January 20, 2025.
The NLC has rejected the tariff hike and is demanding a reduction to five per cent, threatening a nationwide protest on Tuesday, February 4, if its demands are not met.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, argued that the approved increase is vital to sustaining telecom operations amid escalating costs.
“This increase is a lifeline that enables us to survive,” Adebayo said.
“Anything lower would be like giving someone who needs 100 litres of oxygen only a fraction—barely enough to keep them alive but insufficient for long-term survival,” he stressed.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo, emphasised that individual operators do not engage directly with the NLC.
“We have not been talking to the NLC because our industry association, ALTON, handles such engagements. They have already communicated the rationale behind the tariff adjustment, which is essential for the sustainability of telecom services,” he explained.
Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Femi Adeniran, echoed this sentiment, adding that any discussions with the NLC are managed by relevant government agencies and ALTON.
The NCC defended the 50 per cent tariff increase, citing rising operational costs driven by inflation, foreign exchange fluctuations, and higher energy expenses.
In its statement, the Nigerian Communications Commission said the adjustment is in line with its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, to ensure the financial sustainability of the telecom sector.
Meanwhile, the NLC has condemned the hike as “insensitive and unjustifiable,” arguing that it would impose an extra burden on Nigerian consumers.
The union’s president, Joe Ajaero, reiterated the demand for a significant reduction.
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