Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Federal Government’s declaration that the long-standing OPL 245 oil block dispute has been resolved, stating the matter remains active in Nigerian courts.
In a statement on Sunday, Atiku characterised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s claim as misleading. He cited a recent pre-action notice filed by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited as evidence that the dispute is ongoing. “It is troubling that Malabu, a key stakeholder, was neither consulted nor involved in any purported negotiation or settlement process,” he said, warning that excluding such a party raises serious due process concerns. He noted that several related cases are still pending before the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court.
Atiku’s counter-argument centres on the integrity of the resolution process. Describing the sidelining of critical parties as “recklessness rather than strength,” he emphasised that a lasting solution requires the inclusion of all legitimate stakeholders.
His comments follow President Tinubu’s announcement that his government had settled the 15-year-old OPL 245 controversy. The block has been at the centre of a complex legal and commercial fight involving the Nigerian government, Malabu Oil, and oil majors ENI and Shell.
The OPL 245 dispute stems from a 2009 agreement where the Nigerian government awarded the block to Malabu, which then sold it to ENI and Shell for $1.1 billion. The sale was later challenged in courts, with allegations of corruption surrounding the transaction. Several Nigerian authorities, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have investigated the deal over the years.
Separately, Atiku expressed alarm over reports suggesting that up to 30 percent of Nigeria’s Joint Venture assets, managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), could be sold. He warned that any such divestment carried out without full transparency would constitute “the quiet auctioning of Nigeria’s future.” He called on industry unions, including PENGASSAN and NUPENG, to monitor and oppose what he termed opaque dealings, urging them to “stay alert and resist.”
The back-and-forth highlights the persistent legal and political complexities surrounding one of Nigeria’s most contentious oil blocks. With litigation still active at the highest courts and concerns about national asset management, the OPL 245 issue remains a significant test for governance and transparency in Nigeria’s petroleum sector. The next court proceedings will likely determine whether the government’s stated settlement aligns with judicial realities and stakeholder inclusion.
