Ogun State Affirms Jurisdiction Over Eba Island Amidst Controversial Oil Well Claims

 

In a bid to quell rising tensions over territorial claims, the Ogun State Government has once again reiterated its jurisdiction over Eba Island, located in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. 

This clarification comes in response to recent claims from some quarters in Ondo State, which have sparked public debates, especially following the approval of oil drilling activities on the island. 

The controversy began when Hon. Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo, a representative from Ondo State, sponsored a motion in the House of Representatives challenging the oil well's location.

Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, issued a statement reaffirming that Eba Island falls entirely within Ogun State. He emphasized that boundaries between states in Nigeria are well-defined and documented by the National Boundary Commission (NBC). 

According to Akinmade, the boundary records, which include official maps and documents, unequivocally place Eba Island within Ogun State’s coastal jurisdiction, dating back to colonial times and remaining unchanged even after Nigeria’s independence.

The dispute centers on the location of an abandoned oil well on Eba Island, which was approved for drilling by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), in consultation with relevant federal authorities, confirmed that the well is situated within Ogun State's borders. Akinmade added that extensive due diligence had been conducted by the NNPCL and other agencies before the green light was given for drilling.

 Additionally, national security measures, including naval patrols, have been deployed in the area, further solidifying the federal recognition of Ogun State’s territorial claim.

A significant point raised by the Ogun State Government involves historical and legal documentation that supports its territorial claim. Ogun officials pointed to Colonial Government Gazette No. 660 of 1950, which defined the boundary between the former Ijebu and Ondo Provinces, and superseded earlier colonial notices. Other supporting documents, such as lease agreements, historical records, and survey plans—including those of the Olokola Free Trade Zone—were cited as further proof of Ogun's rightful ownership of Eba Island.

Further complicating the situation, the Molokun of Atijere, an influential figure from Ondo State, formally sought permission from Ogun authorities to conduct business on Eba Island in October 2024. This request was denied, a move that was seen as an acknowledgment of Ogun State’s control over the island. Despite some circulating claims relying on colonial-era documents from the early 1900s, the Ogun State Government emphasized that these outdated references were misleading.

 The government urged all parties to refrain from spreading misinformation and to instead engage in peaceful dialogue, affirming its commitment to upholding the rule of law and fostering cooperation for the nation’s collective good.

The Ogun State Government concluded by calling for calm and rational discussions on the matter, stressing that the facts were clear, and the law had long been settled. With all legal and territorial matters firmly in place, the state is set to proceed with the oil drilling activities on Eba Island, reinforcing its position as the legitimate host state of the oil resource.