RismadarVoice Reporters
January 24, 2026
Indigenes of Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State have petitioned Governor Dapo Abiodun over an alleged plan to relocate the approved site for oil exploration from Tongeji Island to another community.
In a 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 using the media to reinterpret an earlier statement credited to the Governor, which indicated that President Bola Tinubu had approved oil exploration at Tongeji Island.
A statement issued by the Ogun State Government on Thursday quoted Abiodun as making the disclosure 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,” the governor was quoted as saying.
The Governor was also quoted as saying during the visit:
“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 approved oil exploration site was Eba community in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.
Reacting to the reports, the Ipokia indigenes insisted that oil deposits in Tongeji Island had long been confirmed in commercial quantities, describing the resource as critical to the economic future of both the local government area and 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 read.
They noted that successive administrations had consistently identified Tongeji Island as the focus of oil exploration efforts in the state.
Raising security concerns, the indigenes claimed that the oil discovery had attracted foreign interest, alleging that the Republic of Benin had in the past attempted to take over the island.
“The discovery of oil in Tongeji Island has made the island particularly attractive to the Government of the Republic of which has reportedly made overtures to the inhabitants,” the petition stated.
“The consistent presence of the Nigerian Navy on the island has been pivotal in maintaining security and protecting our sovereignty.”
The petitioners said they were initially encouraged by the governor’s announcement approving oil exploration in Tongeji Island but later became concerned by reports suggesting a shift to Eba in Ogun Waterside.
“This abrupt change in narrative has left the people of Ipokia Local Government confused and concerned,” they said.
They also accused the Ogun State Government of neglecting development in Ipokia, citing the abandoned Ogun State Polytechnic established during the administration of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun. According to them, despite assessments carried out during Abiodun’s first term, the institution remains dilapidated and overgrown.
The indigenes urged the Governor to reaffirm the approval for oil exploration in Tongeji Island, warning that any deviation would undermine their long-standing aspirations.
Reacting, the Ogun State Government admitted that its earlier statement wrongly indicated that oil drilling would commence on Tongeji Island.
The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Kayode Akinmade, said the statement misrepresented the governor’s remarks.
“It was not Tongeji. I’m the one that sent the statement out. The press officer who wrote it was misinformed. I contacted editors who withdrew it, but unfortunately, it had already circulated widely on social media,” Akinmade said.
He clarified that the Governor had referred to Eba community in Ogun Waterside as the approved site for oil exploration.
“What the governor said was that the President has approved exploration in Eba, Ogun Waterside. The area is just a few kilometres from the Olokola Deep Seaport, which has also been approved,” he explained.
Akinmade acknowledged that oil exists in commercial quantities in Tongeji Island but cited logistical and geopolitical challenges.
“Tongeji is offshore, accessible only through the Atlantic Ocean, and it shares a border with the Republic of Benin. There is significant infrastructure that needs to be put in place,” he added.
He further noted that oil had been discovered in Eba many years ago, which was why the Dangote Group initially considered siting its refinery there before relocating to Lekki, Lagos State.
