Ogoni Clean-Up Gains Fresh Momentum Under Renewed Hope Agenda – HYPREP

By Ken Asinobi The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has said the Ogoni clean-up has gained significant momentum since 2023 following its elevation to a national priority under the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda. The HYPREP Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey stated this on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at a stakeholders' engagement event marking the 10th anniversary of the Ogoni clean-up at the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, Wiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State. According to the Coordinator, the renewed federal commitment has brought greater momentum to the Project Coordination Office's efforts, with the people of Ogoni expressing appreciation for the government's renewed focus on the long-running environmental restoration programme. The Coordinator said HYPREP had recorded progress across key areas of the clean-up, including environmental remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, strengthening of health services, livelihood restoration, as well as the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and the Ogoni Power Project. He, however, acknowledged that the project had faced challenges including community disputes, difficulties accessing project sites, misinformation and alleged sabotage, but noted that stakeholder cooperation had helped the agency overcome many of the setbacks. He reaffirmed HYPREP's commitment to peacebuilding, security, transparency and accountability as the Federal Government sustains efforts to restore the Ogoni environment and improve the well-being of affected communities. Speaking at the event, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the federal government is working to secure additional funding and an extension for HYPREP to enable it complete the Ogoni clean-up. He reaffirmed President Tinubu's commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment in line with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations. Lawal said discussions were already underway with relevant international partners, including UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, towards securing more funding and time for the project. He urged stakeholders to shun disruption and division, saying that HYPREP had entered a second phase of the clean-up and mangrove restoration, while its interventions in soil and groundwater remediation, shoreline clean-up, potable water, public health, infrastructure and livelihood restoration had created over 8,000 jobs for youths and women. Goodwill messages were delivered with the lawmaker representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency. Rt. Hon Dumnamene Dekor calling on stakeholders and host communities to support, protect and promote HYPREP's projects in Ogoniland, describing the interventions as having positively impacted the people. Dekor commended the training of youths in various skills and the development of infrastructure, particularly the Ogoni Power Project, stressing that reliable electricity remains critical to development. He urged communities to safeguard the facilities and encouraged continued funding and promotion of the programme to ensure its benefits are sustained for present and future generations. The Chairman of the HYPREP Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Emma Deeyah, also speaking, stressed the need for sustained funding and collective commitment to ensure the successful completion of the Ogoni clean-up. Deeyah said the project must be connected to the future of the Ogoni people, noting that while several interventions, including skills training, may not always be physically visible, they remain important to the restoration process. He disclosed that efforts were ongoing to secure additional funding from oil companies, government and other financing sources to sustain and expand HYPREP's activities. Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe in his goodwill message, described HYPREP as a blessing to Ogoniland, saying its interventions have produced visible impacts across the area, while urging the people to unite and maximise the opportunities created by the programme. Abe commended the Environment Minister for his commitment and physical involvement in the clean-up but said more must be done, stressing that despite the oil wealth beneath Ogoni soil, many youths remain unemployed and communities lack adequate development. He urged Ogoni people to put aside their differences, respect one another and take advantage of the Federal Government's renewed commitment to bring prosperity and development to the region. Also speaking, Senator Olaka Nwogu called for a broader approach to the Ogoni clean-up that places the basic needs and welfare of the people at the centre of HYPREP's interventions. Nwogu, while commending the progress recorded by the project, said remediation remained crucial but argued that Ogoni people also needed food, shelter, education, security and opportunities to live better lives. He called for a donor conference and sustained funding to prevent completed projects from deteriorating, while urging stakeholders to preserve the infrastructure already provided and remain united as Ogoniland considers the future of oil operations in the region. The King of Eleme Kingdom, HRM Philip Osaro Obele JP, speaking on behalf of Ogoni monarchs, commended HYPREP for what he described as significant transformation of the Ogoni environment over the past decade, urging communities to continue supporting the project until the clean-up is completed. The monarch said the visible changes across Ogoniland provided sufficient evidence that something had been achieved, while praying for increased funding to tackle remaining environmental challenges. He stressed that the footprints of HYPREP's environmental restoration efforts could not be erased and called on Ogoni people to protect and preserve the gains recorded for present and future generations.