Eba Island: Reps to investigate territorial status over oil exploration dispute
House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the territorial status of Eba Island following emerging claims over its ownership and concerns that the dispute can trigger communal clashes and threaten
House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the territorial status of Eba Island following emerging claims over its ownership and concerns that the dispute can trigger communal clashes and threaten national economic assets.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Joseph Adegbesan during plenary, drawing the attention of lawmakers to tension surrounding the oil-bearing island located within the coastal axis of Ogun State.
Presenting the motion, Adegbesan noted that Section 2(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) establishes Nigeria as “one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state whose boundaries are constitutionally defined.”
He also pointed out that the National Boundary Commission is constitutionally mandated to define, adjust and maintain inter-state boundaries within the federation.
The lawmaker explained that Eba Island, recently approved for commercial oil drilling, is geographically situated between Oluwa River and Alape River within Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Adegbesan told the House that two distinct locations bear the name “Eba” — one being Eba Island in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State and the other an inland Eba community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
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According to him, both locations are geographically and administratively separate, a situation which may be contributing to the ongoing confusion over the territorial identity of the oil-bearing island.
He said over the years, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had recognised Eba Island as part of Makun/Irokun Ward in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State by establishing polling units and conducting elections there.
The lawmaker also stated that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), working with Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), carried out due diligence and verified the coordinates of the oil well before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the commencement of commercial drilling.
Adegbesan, however, expressed concern about recent claims suggesting that oil-bearing Eba Island falls within Ondo State, warning that such assertions can generate unnecessary tension between Ogun and Ondo states.
He said the development could undermine national economic stability, especially given the strategic importance of the oil asset.
The lawmaker raised the alarm over reports that certain groups had issued threats regarding the oil exploration activities in the area, warning that such actions posed potential risks to national security and economic infrastructure.
He said there had been no constitutional amendment, judicial pronouncement, federal gazette or formal boundary adjustment by the National Boundary Commission transferring Eba Island from Ogun State to Ondo State since the 1976 state creation exercise.
He stressed that confusion arising from the similarity in names between the two locations called “Eba” could mislead the public and policymakers.
According to him, unresolved territorial disputes involving oil-bearing areas may discourage investment, disrupt exploration activities and threaten national revenue generation, while also creating opportunities for criminal activities that can compromise the security of national assets.
Following the deliberations, the House resolved to mandate its Committees on Special Duties and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to investigate the geospatial coordinates and official boundary documentation relating to Eba Island.
The committees were directed to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
