Tinubu Reconstitutes HYPREP Governing Council and Board of Trustees

President Bola Tinubu has approved a significant restructuring of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), an initiative central to Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to clean up decades of environmental damage in the Niger Delta. On Monday, the President announced the reconstitution of both the Governing Council and the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the agency, ushering in a new leadership team tasked with revitalizing and steering the Ogoni cleanup project forward.

According to a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the move signals the administration’s renewed commitment to environmental restoration and sustainable development in the oil-producing regions of the country.

The new Governing Council will be chaired by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, who now takes on the responsibility of coordinating one of Nigeria’s most ambitious and long-delayed environmental remediation projects. His leadership is expected to bring renewed momentum, especially at a time when pressure has been mounting for the government to deliver tangible results in Ogoniland and beyond.

A Council of Stakeholders

The newly reconstituted Governing Council reflects the federal government’s intention to involve a broader representation of stakeholders, including those from the affected communities. Members appointed to the council include:

• Loanyie Barituka Victor, representing environmental non-governmental organisations

• Bright Onyebuchi Jacob and Henry Obiabure, representing the Niger Delta communities

• Prof. Barinedum Nwibere and Baride Gwezia, representing the Ogoni community

• Gideon Onyebuwa and Dr. Ibikunle Omotehinse, representing the nine oil-producing states

To ensure inclusion and coverage of regional interests, the President also appointed four alternate members:

• Dr. Abraham Olungwe and Maeba Ekpobari for Ogoniland

• Joseph Akedesuo and Beauty Warejuowei for the wider Niger Delta

These appointments are considered critical as they ensure that voices from local communities, particularly those most affected by oil pollution, are part of the decision-making process at HYPREP.

Board of Trustees Reconstituted

In addition to the Council, President Tinubu reconstituted HYPREP’s Board of Trustees. Leading the Board is Emmanuel Deeyah, who was reappointed as chairman, signaling a degree of continuity within the institution. Other newly named members include:

• Fred Igwe and Dr. Fred Kpakol, representing the interests of Ogoni communities and stakeholders

• Mrs. Dorcas Amos, representing other communities in the Niger Delta

• Chief Jide Damazio, reappointed to represent environmental NGOs

The Board of Trustees plays a key role in overseeing the financial management and accountability of the project, ensuring that funds are properly utilized for remediation, livelihood support, and infrastructure development across the impacted areas.

The Ogoni cleanup project was originally launched in 2016 as a response to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, which detailed the devastating environmental consequences of decades of oil exploration in Ogoniland. The report exposed the severe contamination of soil, air, and water resources, posing serious health and economic risks to the residents of the region.

Years later, progress has been slow, and trust among the affected communities has eroded. With this reconstitution, President Tinubu’s administration appears determined to reset the tone and trajectory of the project, bringing in stakeholders who are directly linked to the region and who can foster better accountability.

Earlier in 2025, HYPREP received renewed backing from international partners, including the Belgian government and the United Nations. In March, Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, along with mangrove expert Prof. Olof Linden, visited the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey. Their visit underscored ongoing cooperation between Nigeria and Belgium to support mangrove restoration and other key environmental interventions in Ogoniland.

The United Nations has also pledged continued technical support in areas such as climate change mitigation, food security, access to clean water, and public health. Mohamed Fall, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, stated that HYPREP’s work aligns with the UN’s global goals on environmental protection and human rights.

These partnerships are crucial for the success of the project, given the technical complexity and the financial scale required to carry out a full environmental cleanup in the Niger Delta.

In January 2025, President Tinubu held a private meeting with stakeholders from Rivers State to address rising tensions and controversies around the cleanup effort. The meeting was attended by both political leaders and community representatives, including then-Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former Governor Nyesom Wike, and various Ogoni leaders.

Also present were key government figures such as Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President; Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser; Mele Kyari, Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL); and Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation.

The meeting served as an opportunity for the federal government to reinforce its commitment to resolving the environmental crisis in Ogoni and promote political stability in Rivers State, which has experienced its share of upheaval.

With this reconstitution, expectations are high that HYPREP will finally gather the institutional strength and community support needed to implement real change. The new appointees will be closely watched as they begin their tenure amid a combination of international scrutiny and local demand for progress.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with the legacy of oil pollution and the need for sustainable development, the success or failure of HYPREP could serve as a defining benchmark for environmental justice in the country. For communities in the Niger Delta, the hope is that this time, promises will turn into action.