A high-powered delegation from the Federal Government, led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has arrived in Rivers State for a critical working visit. The team, which includes two ministers from President Bola Tinubu's cabinet, held talks with the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Federal Delegation's Mission in the Niger Delta
The delegation's primary mission is a comprehensive inspection of major federal projects and long-standing environmental degradation sites in the oil-rich state. Ribadu was accompanied by the Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, and the Minister of Environment, Honourable Balarabe Abbas Lawal. Also part of the team was the Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Chukwuemeka Woke.
Upon their arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport, the officials were received by stakeholders from Ogoniland, including members of the Ogoni Mothers Union. This set the tone for a visit heavily focused on the Niger Delta region's environmental and developmental challenges.
Detailed Itinerary: From East-West Road to Oil Spill Sites
The delegation's schedule is packed with site inspections and stakeholder engagements. A key focus is the ongoing construction work on the crucial East-West Road, a vital artery for the region's economy being supervised by the Ministry of Works.
The environmental agenda is equally significant. The team is scheduled to visit the Yorla Oilfield spill site in Kpean Community and the Gokana Oil Facility. Other stops include the University of Environmental Technology in Ogoni, the Hospital at K-Dere, an Industrial Park site, and the Taabaa General Hospital.
Planned meetings with the Ogoni Dialogue Committee underscore the federal government's intent to engage directly with community representatives. The broad objectives are to advance environmental remediation, assess infrastructure development, and strengthen security coordination in the restive Ogoniland area.
Renewed Federal Focus on Niger Delta Issues
This high-level visit signals a renewed and direct focus by the Tinubu administration on the pressing issues of Nigeria's oil-producing communities. It converges three critical federal portfolios—security, works, and environment—to tackle interconnected problems.
The move is seen as an effort to address the tripartite challenges of environmental restoration, execution of development projects, and peacebuilding initiatives in the Niger Delta. The involvement of the NSA highlights the intrinsic link between environmental neglect, underdevelopment, and security threats in the region.
This visit occurs against the backdrop of Rivers State's dynamic political landscape, where Governor Fubara recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the influence of President Tinubu. It also follows a peace deal brokered by the President between Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, in June 2025.
