The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria for successfully resolving the long-standing dispute surrounding Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245. The resolution of this matter, which has persisted for more than fifteen years, represents an important step toward restoring investor confidence, strengthening regulatory certainty, and unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s deepwater oil resources.
For over a decade, the controversy surrounding OPL 245 attracted international scrutiny, legal disputes, and reputational concerns for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The conclusion of this settlement and the prospect of advancing the Zabazaba–Etan development project signal a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to address legacy issues that have hindered investment and growth in the industry.
CDHR recognizes that responsible development of Nigeria’s natural resources has the potential to generate significant revenue, expand employment opportunities, and support national development. We therefore commend the administration for taking steps to bring closure to one of the most complex disputes in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
However, while welcoming this progress, CDHR strongly emphasizes that preventing similar controversies in the future must be a national priority. To this end, we urge the Federal Government and relevant institutions to implement stronger preventative measures aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and public trust in the management of Nigeria’s strategic resources.
CDHR recommends the following measures:
1. **Full Transparency in Oil Block Allocation**
All future oil block allocations and licensing processes should be conducted through open, competitive, and publicly verifiable bidding processes to eliminate ambiguity and reduce opportunities for undue influence.
2. **Public Disclosure of Contracts and Beneficial Ownership**
Agreements, production-sharing contracts, and the beneficial ownership of companies participating in oil block transactions should be publicly disclosed to ensure accountability and prevent the use of shell entities for illicit activities.
3. **Strengthening Institutional Oversight**
Regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) should be empowered with stronger oversight mechanisms to ensure strict compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act and other relevant laws.
4. **Independent Audit and Monitoring of Strategic Oil Assets**
Regular independent audits of major oil block transactions should be conducted and made accessible to the public to ensure transparency in revenue generation and contractual compliance.
5. **Multi-Stakeholder Participation**
Civil society organizations, host communities, and industry stakeholders should be integrated into monitoring frameworks to strengthen accountability and reduce the likelihood of opaque decision-making.
The resolution of the OPL 245 dispute presents an opportunity for Nigeria to turn a difficult chapter into a foundation for reform. We believes that with sustained commitment to transparency, rule of law, and institutional integrity, Nigeria can build a petroleum sector that delivers equitable benefits to its citizens while maintaining the confidence of global investors.
CDHR remains committed to supporting policies and reforms that promote justice, transparency, and responsible governance in the management of Nigeria’s natural resources.
Signed
Comrade Debo Adeniran
National President CDHR
Comrade Deacon Jeremiah Onyibe
National Publicity Secretary
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