PANDEF Applauds Tinubu’s Oil Sector Reforms

PANDEF Applauds Tinubu’s Oil Sector Reforms
…Calls for Inclusion and Environmental Justice
urged President Tinubu to sustain the momentum of the reforms through inclusive appointments

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has formally endorsed the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing recent developments as a decisive departure from years of policy drift and regulatory uncertainty, Eko Hot Blog reports.

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Speaking in Abuja during an interaction with journalists, PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Gidknows Igali, said the reforms have been warmly received across the Niger Delta, noting that the sector remains critical to both the national economy and oil-producing host communities.

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According to Igali, developments in the oil and gas industry are of existential importance to the Niger Delta.

“The oil and gas sector is not an abstract policy issue for us. We live with it, we bear its consequences, and we understand its complexities. That is why developments in this sector are of existential importance to the Niger Delta,” he said

PANDEF noted that President Tinubu’s swift restructuring of the industry’s regulatory framework reflects a clear commitment to restoring efficiency, professionalism, and investor confidence in a sector that remains Nigeria’s economic backbone.

The forum particularly commended the appointment of Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), describing it as a textbook example of merit-based leadership.

“This is truly a square peg in a square hole,” Igali said. “Mrs. Eyesan PANDEF Applauds Tinubu’s Oil Sector Reforms is a seasoned professional whose competence was evident during her screening. Her appointment reassures industry stakeholders and host communities that expertise, not sentiment, is guiding these reforms.”

He highlighted her extensive experience in the oil and gas sector, including her tenure as Executive Vice President (Upstream) at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), noting that her record of diligence and excellence has left measurable impact.

“She has carried herself with distinction and professionalism, making Nigerians, especially women exceptionally proud. This appointment reinforces the fact that when capable women are entrusted with responsibility, they deliver results,” Igali added.

PANDEF also expressed strong confidence in the appointment of Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), describing both appointments as complementary and strategically significant.

“With these two competent professionals overseeing upstream and midstream/downstream operations, the President has positioned the oil and gas sector for a quantum leap into the future,” Igali said.

While applauding the reforms, PANDEF urged the Federal Government to deepen them by ensuring greater representation of qualified Niger Delta professionals in senior management positions across the industry.

The forum noted that the Niger Delta hosts the highest concentration of trained oil and gas professionals in the country, having pioneered petroleum studies through institutions such as the University of Benin, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, and the University of Calabar.

“These professionals understand the industry, the terrain, and host community dynamics. Giving them greater responsibility is not a concession; it is a strategic advantage for Nigeria,” Igali said.

PANDEF further called for the expansion of environmental remediation efforts beyond Ogoniland, warning that limiting clean-up initiatives to a single area understates the scale of ecological degradation across the Niger Delta.

“While we commend the Ogoni clean-up, it represents only a fraction of the problem. UNEP and other global assessments have confirmed that environmental damage cuts across all oil-producing states. Remediation must be holistic, sustained, and region-wide,” he said.

The forum stressed that meaningful environmental restoration is essential to the long-term sustainability of the oil and gas sector and to rebuilding trust between host communities, operators, and the Federal Government.

PANDEF also renewed its call for the implementation of the Modular Refinery Development Fund, an agreement reached with the Federal Government in 2018, to support community-based and small-scale refineries.

According to Igali, modular refineries would complement large facilities such as the Dangote Refinery, reduce dependence on long-distance transportation of petroleum products, formalise artisanal refining, create jobs, and significantly curb pipeline vandalism and sabotage.

“In many oil-producing countries, modular refineries play a critical role in meeting local demand. They integrate host communities into the value chain, expand economic activity, and reduce exclusion,” he said.

Reaffirming the Niger Delta’s commitment to peace and cooperation, PANDEF assured the Federal Government that host communities would continue to provide a stable operating environment in collaboration with state governments.

Dispelling predictions of the imminent decline of fossil fuels, Igali said oil and gas particularly natural gas would remain central to the global energy mix for decades.

“Nigeria has over 210 trillion cubic feet of gas. Gas is currently the cleanest, cheapest, and most reliable transition fuel. With the right leadership, Nigeria can remain a dominant force in the global energy architecture for the next 50 years,” he said.

PANDEF urged President Tinubu to sustain the momentum of the reforms through inclusive appointments, environmental justice, and community-driven industrial development, stressing that such an approach would ensure the oil and gas sector continues to serve the collective economic interests of all Nigerians.