By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Ogun State Government has admitted an error in its earlier statement on the approved location for oil exploration, following protests and a formal petition by indigenes of Ipokia Local Government Area over what they described as attempts to shift the project from Tongeji Island to another community.
The controversy arose after conflicting reports emerged on the exact site approved for oil drilling, prompting concerned residents of Ipokia to seek urgent clarification from Governor Dapo Abiodun.
In a petition dated Friday, 23 January, 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 clearly state whether Tongeji Island remained the approved location for oil exploration in Ogun State.
The petitioners alleged that some individuals were already using the media to reinterpret an earlier statement credited to the governor, in which he was quoted as saying that President Bola Tinubu had approved the commencement of oil exploration activities at Tongeji Island.
Thegazellenews.com had earlier reported that the development followed a statement issued by the Ogun State Government on Thursday, 22 January, 2026 quoting Abiodun 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.
Similarly, while speaking on development efforts in Ogun Waterside, Abiodun was also quoted as stating: “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, the narrative later shifted as some online media reports suggested that the oil exploration approval was actually meant for Eba community in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, rather than Tongeji Island in Ipokia.
Reacting, 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 the local government area and Ogun State at large.
“We, the concerned indigenes of Ipokia Local Government Area, write to express our concerns and seek urgent clarification regarding the exact site approved for oil exploration in Ogun State. Oil deposits in Tongeji Island have long been confirmed to exist in commercial quantities,” the petition stated.
They further noted that successive administrations, from the military era through civilian governments, had consistently identified Tongeji Island as the focus of oil exploration efforts in the state.
Beyond economic considerations, the petitioners raised security concerns, alleging that the oil discovery had previously attracted foreign interest, particularly from the Republic of Benin.
“The discovery of oil in Tongeji Island has made the island particularly attractive to the Government of the Republic of Benin, which has reportedly made overtures to the inhabitants,” the petition read, adding that the consistent presence of the Nigerian Navy had been crucial in safeguarding the area.
The indigenes said they were initially encouraged by what they described as the governor’s announcement that Tinubu had approved oil exploration in Tongeji Island but later became alarmed by reports suggesting a shift to Eba community.
“Recently, your administration announced that Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government was designated as the approved community for oil exploration. This announcement generated significant excitement and hope among the residents,” they said.
“We have been alarmed by reports suggesting that the approved site for oil exploration may have shifted to Eba in Ogun Waterside, while also mentioning a deep seaport in Ogun East Senatorial District. This abrupt change in narrative has left the people of Ipokia confused and concerned.”
The petitioners also accused the state government of neglecting development in Ipokia Local Government, 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 by officials, including the Commissioners for Works and Housing, no meaningful development followed, leaving the facilities dilapidated and overgrown.
They therefore urged the governor to reaffirm the approval for oil exploration in Tongeji Island, warning that any deviation would undermine the aspirations of the people.
Responding, the Ogun State Government admitted that its earlier statement wrongly indicated that oil drilling would commence on Tongeji Island.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, explained that the error resulted from misinformation during the drafting of the statement.
“It was not Tongeji. I’m the one that sent the statement out. What happened was that the press officer who wrote the statement was misinformed,” Akinmade said, adding that efforts were made to withdraw the report, although it had already circulated widely on social media.
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, in Ogun Waterside. The area is just a few kilometres from the Olokola deep seaport, which has also been approved for action,” he said.
While acknowledging that Tongeji Island also has oil in commercial quantities, Akinmade noted that extensive infrastructure would be required before exploration could begin there, stressing that the island is offshore and shares a border with the Republic of Benin.
He further disclosed that oil was discovered in Eba many years ago, noting that this was one of the reasons the Dangote Group initially considered siting its refinery there before relocating to Lekki, Lagos State.
Akinmade appealed to the people of Ipokia to remain calm, assuring them that the government was mindful of their concerns and that infrastructural challenges remained a key factor in determining exploration priorities.
