President Tinubu Green-Lights Oil Drilling at Tongeji Island — A New Chapter for Ogun’s Economy

In a decisive push to deepen Nigeria’s energy landscape and drive inclusion in coastal communities, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling operations at Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area, Ogun State. This announcement — delivered through Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun during a high-level courtesy visit — marks a milestone in the state’s decades-long pursuit of oil-producing status and broader economic empowerment for its people. 

The president’s approval comes as part of a broader strategy linking energy expansion, maritime infrastructure, and national security. Alongside the green light for drilling on Tongeji Island, President Tinubu has also endorsed the immediate take-off of the Olokola Deep Seaport project, an infrastructural endeavor long anticipated by investors and regional planners alike. 

Why This Matters: A Strategic Energy Pivot

For years, Ogun State has been on the fringe of Nigeria’s energy narrative. With its border location and resource potential, the state has lobbied for upstream activity that could finally elevate its profile from industrial and agricultural stronghold to a vital player in the nation’s petroleum map.

President Tinubu’s approval effectively puts commercial crude extraction on the economic horizon for the state — a development that could amplify local revenue inflows, generate jobs, and attract both indigenous and foreign investment. 

Beyond economic gains, this move reflects a broader policy rhythm within the Tinubu administration. Under his leadership, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has seen a rejuvenation of investor confidence, regulatory clarity under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and an uptick in field development planning and foreign capital commitments. 

Tongeji Island: From Potential to Production

Tongeji Island — long known for its strategic location at the western edge of Nigeria’s coastal belt — now sits at the gateway of opportunity. The approval for drilling represents not only the realisation of decades-long aspirations by local leaders but also a tilt in national oil policy that seeks to broaden production beyond traditional Niger Delta heartlands. 

Governor Abiodun emphasised that this approval will catalyse commercial activity on the island — from energy operations to community development projects. The goal is clear: convert dormant potential into tangible benefits for residents through enhanced livelihoods, infrastructure, and improved social services. 

Complementing the oil initiative is the plan for the Olokola Deep Seaport, to be branded as the Blue Marine Economic Zone. Positioned along the Atlantic coastline, this port project aims to significantly decongest the traditional ports in Lagos, providing a modern logistics corridor that could transform West African maritime commerce. 

Security, Sovereignty and Cross-Border Guardrails

Development does not come without responsibility. A key theme in recent federal-state discussions has been securing coastal assets against threats, including transnational infiltration and territorial encroachment. In this regard, the Nigerian Navy has established a Forward Operations Base on Tongeji Island, a collaborative effort to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereign interests and ensure the security of evolving economic landscapes. 

This naval presence, elevated by state and federal cooperation, underlines Nigeria’s commitment to protecting investments and citizens alike — from geopolitical pressures to maritime threats along the border with the Republic of Benin. 

Looking Ahead: Energy, Jobs and Inclusive Growth

President Tinubu’s approval is more than a policy statement — it’s a strategic inflection point. By unlocking commercial drilling at Tongeji Island and advancing deep-seaport infrastructure, Nigeria takes a bold step toward broadening its economic base beyond traditional hubs.

For Ogun State, this could mean new revenue streams, robust job creation, and a more diversified local economy. For coastal communities, it could be the start of a transition from marginalisation to central participation in a sector that has historically defined national revenue and global economic engagement.

In today’s interconnected world, the confluence of energy, infrastructure, and security defines sovereign prosperity. Nigeria’s march toward a more inclusive energy landscape — starting with places like Tongeji Island — signals a future where opportunity extends to every corner of the nation.