On September 24, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred posthumous National Honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on four late Ogoni leaders—Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage—during a significant ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The event, which coincided with the submission of the Ogoni Consultations Committee’s report, marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s efforts to address historical grievances in Ogoniland, a region in the Niger Delta long plagued by environmental degradation, social unrest, and economic marginalization. The conferment of these honours on the Ogoni Four, who were executed alongside renowned environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa in 1995 by the military regime of General Sani Abacha, symbolizes a gesture of national reconciliation and recognition of their sacrifices in the struggle for justice and equity in the Niger Delta.
The late Ogoni leaders were part of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), a group that became synonymous with resistance against environmental devastation caused by decades of oil exploration in Ogoniland. Their execution, alongside Saro-Wiwa and four others, sparked global condemnation, leading to Nigeria’s isolation on the international stage and the imposition of sanctions by several countries. The posthumous honours bestowed on Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage serve as a formal acknowledgment of their contributions to the fight for the rights of the Ogoni people and their enduring legacy in Nigeria’s socio-political history.
A Call for Unity and Reconciliation
During the ceremony, President Tinubu addressed the Ogoni Consultations Committee, a body tasked with facilitating dialogue and fostering reconciliation among the Ogoni communities. In his remarks, the President emphasized the need for unity and collective progress, urging the people of Ogoniland to move beyond the divisions that have lingered for decades. “May their memories continue to inspire unity, courage, and purpose among us,” he said. “I urge the Ogoni people across classes, communities, and generations to close ranks, put this dark chapter behind us, and move forward as a united community with one voice.”
This call for reconciliation is particularly significant given the historical context of Ogoniland’s struggles. The region has been marked by tensions between various factions, including community leaders, youth groups, and external stakeholders such as oil companies and the government. These divisions have often hindered efforts to address the systemic issues facing Ogoniland, including environmental pollution, economic deprivation, and social inequality. President Tinubu’s appeal for unity reflects his administration’s recognition that sustainable progress in the region depends on a cohesive and collaborative approach among all stakeholders.
Commitment to Peace, Environmental Remediation, and Economic Revival
President Tinubu’s address went beyond symbolic gestures, as he outlined concrete steps his administration intends to take to address the challenges facing Ogoniland. Central to his remarks was a commitment to supporting peace, environmental remediation, and economic revival in the region. “The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity,” he assured the Ogoni delegation.
One of the most significant announcements made by the President was the government’s plan to facilitate the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland. Oil exploration in the region has been suspended since 1993, following widespread protests led by MOSOP against the environmental devastation caused by oil companies operating in the area. These protests, which highlighted the pollution of water sources, farmlands, and air due to oil spills and gas flaring, culminated in the tragic execution of Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine in 1995. The suspension of oil activities, while a victory for the environmental movement, left Ogoniland economically stagnant, as the region’s economy had been heavily dependent on oil-related activities.
President Tinubu noted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its partners were handed operatorship of the Ogoni oil field in 2022 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Building on this decision, Tinubu pledged to ensure that the resumption of oil production is conducted in a manner that prioritizes the well-being of the Ogoni people and the sustainability of their environment. “I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production,” he said, signaling that community support is a critical factor in moving forward with these plans.
To operationalize this commitment, the President directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to initiate engagements with the Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other relevant stakeholders to finalize the modalities for restarting oil operations. This directive underscores the administration’s intent to adopt a participatory approach, ensuring that the voices of the Ogoni people are central to decisions about their land and resources. Additionally, the Minister of Environment was tasked with integrating pollution remediation efforts into the ongoing dialogue with the Ogoni communities, addressing one of the core grievances that fueled the protests of the 1990s.
Historical Context: The Ogoni Struggle and Its Legacy
To fully appreciate the significance of President Tinubu’s actions, it is essential to understand the historical context of the Ogoni struggle. Ogoniland, located in Rivers State, is home to the Ogoni people, an ethnic group that has lived in the Niger Delta for centuries. The discovery of oil in the region in the 1950s transformed Ogoniland into a hub of oil exploration, primarily led by multinational companies such as Shell. While oil production generated significant revenue for Nigeria, the benefits largely bypassed the Ogoni people, who faced severe environmental degradation and socio-economic marginalization.
By the early 1990s, the environmental and social impacts of oil exploration had reached a tipping point. Oil spills contaminated rivers and farmlands, gas flaring polluted the air, and the Ogoni people were left with little to show for the wealth extracted from their land. Under the leadership of Ken Saro-Wiwa, MOSOP mobilized the Ogoni people to demand greater control over their resources, environmental protection, and a fair share of oil revenues. The movement gained international attention, drawing support from environmental and human rights organizations worldwide.
However, the Nigerian military regime, led by General Sani Abacha, viewed MOSOP’s activism as a threat to national interests. In 1994, Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni leaders, including Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage, were arrested on charges widely regarded as fabricated. Their trial was marred by irregularities, and in November 1995, they were executed, sparking global outrage. The executions led to Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth and the imposition of sanctions by several countries, including the United States and the European Union.
The legacy of the Ogoni struggle continues to shape Nigeria’s socio-political landscape. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) conducted a comprehensive assessment of Ogoniland in 2011, confirming the extent of environmental damage caused by oil exploration. The report recommended a $1 billion cleanup program, which has been partially implemented through the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP). However, progress has been slow, and many Ogoni communities continue to grapple with the effects of pollution and economic neglect.
The Significance of the Posthumous Honours
The conferment of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage is a significant step toward acknowledging the sacrifices made by these leaders. The CON is one of Nigeria’s highest national honours, reserved for individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the nation. By recognizing the Ogoni Four, President Tinubu is signaling his administration’s commitment to addressing historical injustices and fostering national healing.
The honours also serve as a reminder of the broader struggle for justice in the Niger Delta. The Ogoni Four, alongside Ken Saro-Wiwa, were not only advocates for their people but also symbols of resistance against oppression and exploitation. Their recognition posthumously elevates their contributions to the national consciousness, ensuring that future generations understand the price paid for the fight for environmental and social justice.
Challenges and Opportunities in Resuming Oil Production
The decision to resume oil production in Ogoniland is both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, it offers the potential for economic revival in a region that has been economically sidelined for over three decades. The resumption of oil activities could create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and provide revenue for community development projects. However, the history of oil exploration in Ogoniland serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for robust environmental safeguards, community engagement, and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms.
The directive to the NSA to engage with Ogoni communities and stakeholders is a positive step toward ensuring that the process is inclusive. The involvement of the Minister of Environment in addressing pollution remediation further underscores the administration’s awareness of the need to balance economic goals with environmental sustainability. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on the government’s ability to build trust with the Ogoni people, many of whom remain skeptical of oil companies and government promises due to past experiences.
Environmental Remediation: A Critical Component
Environmental remediation remains a cornerstone of any sustainable development plan for Ogoniland. The UNEP report of 2011 provided a roadmap for addressing the region’s environmental challenges, including the cleanup of contaminated sites, the restoration of water sources, and the mitigation of health risks caused by pollution. While HYPREP has made some progress, including the remediation of several oil spill sites, the scale of the challenge requires sustained funding, technical expertise, and community involvement.
President Tinubu’s directive to integrate pollution remediation into the ongoing dialogue with Ogoni communities is a recognition of this reality. By linking environmental restoration with the resumption of oil production, the administration is attempting to address the root causes of the Ogoni struggle while laying the foundation for economic recovery. However, the government must ensure that remediation efforts are transparent, adequately funded, and aligned with international best practices to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
Broader Implications for the Niger Delta
The developments in Ogoniland have broader implications for the Niger Delta, a region that has long been a flashpoint for conflict and unrest. The Niger Delta is Nigeria’s oil-producing heartland, accounting for the vast majority of the country’s oil and gas revenues. However, the region has also been plagued by militancy, pipeline vandalism, and environmental degradation, driven by grievances over resource control and marginalization.
President Tinubu’s approach to Ogoniland could serve as a model for addressing similar challenges across the Niger Delta. By prioritizing community engagement, environmental sustainability, and economic inclusion, the administration has an opportunity to demonstrate that resource extraction can coexist with the well-being of host communities. However, this will require a departure from the top-down approaches of the past and a genuine commitment to participatory governance.
Conclusion
President Bola Tinubu’s conferment of posthumous National Honours on Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage is a historic gesture that acknowledges the sacrifices of the Ogoni Four and reaffirms the government’s commitment to justice and reconciliation. Coupled with the pledge to support peace, environmental remediation, and economic revival in Ogoniland, these actions signal a new chapter in the region’s history.
The resumption of oil production, if managed responsibly, could unlock significant economic opportunities for Ogoniland while addressing the environmental and social grievances that have long defined the region’s struggle. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on the government’s ability to build trust, engage meaningfully with communities, and ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. As Nigeria moves toward a more inclusive and sustainable future, the lessons of Ogoniland will resonate far beyond its borders, offering hope for a region long defined by conflict and resilience.
