RMAFC Denies Reports of Ceding Oil Wells to Cross River, Says Review Process Ongoing

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has dismissed reports suggesting that it has recommended the ceding of certain disputed crude oil and gas wells to specific oil-producing states, including Cross River State, describing such claims as premature and misleading.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of the commission, Dr. Mohammed Shehu, said the commission’s attention had been drawn to a purported report allegedly released by the Inter-Agency Committee on the Verification of Coordinates of Disputed Crude Oil and Gas Wells between States. The report, which circulated in sections of the national media, claimed that recommendations had already been made to reallocate some oil wells.

RMAFC, however, firmly denied the claim.

“At this stage, there is no finalised recommendation or decision regarding the ceding or reallocation of any oil wells, as due institutional processes are still ongoing,” the statement read.

The commission emphasized that the document currently being referenced in media reports is merely a draft and does not reflect the official position or final conclusions of the commission.

According to Shehu, the commission only received a draft report from the inter-agency committee on Friday, February 13, 2026. In line with established procedures, the draft has been forwarded to key technical and statutory stakeholders for review. These include the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the National Boundary Commission, and the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation.

The commission explained that these agencies are expected to provide detailed observations and technical input before any further action is taken. Once their feedback is received, the matter will be subjected to additional scrutiny by RMAFC’s internal tripartite committees, including the Committee on Crude Oil, Gas and Investment and the Legal Matters Committee.

“These committees will undertake comprehensive technical and legal reviews before presenting their findings to the Plenary Session of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission for deliberation and final recommendations,” the statement added.

RMAFC clarified that only after completing these statutory steps would any final report be transmitted to the President and the Attorney-General of the Federation for consideration in accordance with constitutional provisions and applicable laws.

The commission described the circulating report as speculative, inaccurate, and capable of misleading the public. It urged stakeholders, oil-producing states, and media organisations to disregard the claims and await official communication upon conclusion of the review process.

The dispute over oil well ownership has historically carried significant fiscal implications for states, as derivation revenue allocations are tied to verified production coordinates. In January 2026, RMAFC had called on oil-producing states to cooperate fully in the ongoing exercise to plot verified coordinates of disputed and newly drilled oil wells. The exercise, conducted between January 26 and 30, was aimed at ensuring transparency and fairness in the allocation process.

Public reactions to the latest development have been mixed, with some social media users expressing skepticism about official denials, while others cautioned against spreading unverified reports that could inflame inter-state tensions.

RMAFC reiterated its commitment to impartiality, transparency, and due process, stressing that the verification exercise remains a technical and legal matter guided strictly by constitutional mandates rather than political considerations.

As the review process continues, affected states and industry observers are expected to monitor developments closely, given the economic and political significance of oil revenue distribution in Nigeria’s federal structure.