Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has restructured the leadership of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), a key initiative addressing oil spill impacts in the Niger Delta, following months of consultations with regional stakeholders and international partners. The move, announced Monday by presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga, aims to advance environmental recovery efforts in an area long plagued by pollution and social tensions.
Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal will chair the reconstituted HYPREP Governing Council, which includes representatives from environmental NGOs, Niger Delta and Ogoni communities, and oil-producing states. Notable appointees include Loanyie Barituka Victor for NGOs, Professors Barinedum Nwibere and Baride Gwezia for the Ogoni community, and Dr. Ibikunle Omotehinse for oil-producing states. Four alternates, such as Dr. Abraham Olungwe and Beauty Warejuowei, were also named to ensure regional inclusivity.
The Board of Trustees saw Emmanuel Deeyah reappointed as chairman, alongside returning members like Chief Jide Damazio for NGOs and Fred Igwe for Ogoni stakeholders. This reshuffle follows Tinubu’s January closed-door talks with Rivers State leaders, including suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, aimed at resolving disputes stalling cleanup progress. Senior officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and ex-NNPCL head Mele Kyari, attended the meeting, underscoring the project’s strategic importance.
International backing for HYPREP has intensified, with Belgium and the United Nations recently pledging expanded support. During a March visit, Belgian Ambassador Pieter Leenknegt and mangrove expert Prof. Olof Linden reaffirmed commitments to addressing environmental and socio-economic challenges in Ogoniland. Meanwhile, UN Coordinator Mohamed Fall outlined plans to assist with mangrove restoration, climate resilience, and public health initiatives, aligning HYPREP’s goals with global sustainability frameworks.
The governance overhaul signals renewed urgency to mitigate decades of ecological damage in the Niger Delta, where oil spills have devastated farmlands and waterways. While past cleanup efforts faced criticism over delays, the inclusion of local voices and international expertise reflects a coordinated push to balance environmental justice with regional stability. With political tensions lingering in Rivers State, the restructured HYPREP leadership now faces dual challenges: accelerating remediation and fostering trust among communities central to the Delta’s recovery.
