Federal Gov’t Inaugurates NIOSS Committee To Tackle Oil Spill Crisis

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Joint Project Management Committee for the maiden Nigeria International Oil Spill Summit and Expo to tighten Nigeria’s oil spill response and environmental governance.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the initiative marks a decisive step in strengthening the country’s oil spill management architecture.

Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, said the summit aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Assistant Communication and Information Officer, Ronke Asagun, the SGF said the move reflects the administration’s resolve to deploy innovation, collaboration and accountability in addressing the environmental and socio-economic damage caused by oil spills.

He charged members of the committee to deliver a results-driven summit capable of producing practical recommendations, strengthening regulatory coordination and boosting Nigeria’s global profile in oil spill governance.

The summit is being driven by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency in partnership with Green Clean Innovation Hub Limited.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NOSDRA, Chukwuemeka Woke, described NIOSS as a landmark effort to reposition Nigeria’s oil spill governance through strategic partnerships and global best practices.

Woke said the summit would bring together regulators, oil operators, development partners and host communities to fashion sustainable solutions to recurring spill incidents nationwide.

He disclosed that NOSDRA plans to use the platform to unveil key reforms, including a national oil spill database for real-time monitoring, stronger inter-agency surveillance and community-based response models that place host communities at the centre of environmental protection.

Beyond policy talks, he said NIOSS would pursue measurable outcomes such as attracting investment in remediation technologies, promoting coastal resilience projects and deploying innovative financing tools, including carbon credit frameworks, for long-term ecosystem restoration.

Also speaking, Consultant to Green Clean Innovation Hub Limited, Promise Amaha, said the summit would bridge policy, technology and community engagement, adding that the firm is committed to delivering a globally benchmarked event.