Fed govt sets up committee for Nigeria’s first international oil spill summit, unveils NIOSS logo
…Akume says over 1,000 oil spill cases reported annually …NOSDRA pledges stronger prevention, response, ecosystem restoration The Federal Government has inaugurated a Joint Project Management Committee (JPMC) for the First
...Akume says over 1,000 oil spill cases reported annually
...NOSDRA pledges stronger prevention, response, ecosystem restoration
The Federal Government has inaugurated a Joint Project Management Committee (JPMC) for the First Nigeria International Oil Spill Summit and Expo (NIOSS), formally unveiling the summit’s official logo and commencing preparations for the international conference.
The committee was inaugurated in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the SGF, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana.
Akume said the initiative, spearheaded by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) in collaboration with Green Clean Innovation Hub Limited (GCHI), was designed to respond to Nigeria’s persistent oil spill incidents and their devastating impact on host communities.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Relations Department in the Office of the SGF, Dewan Nengak Goshit, Akume described the development as coming at a critical moment in Nigeria’s environmental and economic history, noting that the country has, for decades, endured the burden of frequent oil spill cases.
“This initiative comes at a critical moment in Nigeria’s environmental and economic history. For decades, the nation has borne the heavy burden of oil spill incidents, with over one thousand reported cases annually and an estimated thirteen million barrels of crude oil spilled over time,” Akume said.
He warned that the consequences of oil spillage—including environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, destruction of livelihoods, public health challenges, and significant economic setbacks—remain too grave to ignore.
The SGF urged the nine-member committee to discharge its mandate with professionalism, patriotism, and a strong sense of purpose, stressing that NIOSS is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s oil spill preparedness and response capacity at national and sub-national levels.
According to him, the summit will also foster innovation, technology transfer, and investment in environmental protection; promote collaboration among government, industry, host communities, academia, and international partners; and demonstrate Nigeria’s leadership in oil spill response, coastal restoration, and climate action.
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Akume assured that the Federal Government is committed to science-driven, inclusive, and community-centred solutions that protect natural resources while sustaining livelihoods.
The Joint Project Management Committee has a mandate to ensure transparency, coordination, accountability, and timely delivery of all components of NIOSS.
Members of the committee are: Mr. Ifiok Abba (OSGF), chairman; Mrs. Margret Adesida (NOSDRA); Dr. Sola O. Oladipo (NOSDRA); Prof. Babatunda Bernard (OSGF); Mr. Promise Amaha (GCHI); Mr. Tije Cyprian Pius (NOSDRA); Mr. Ali Gambo (GCHI); Mrs. Oluwakemi Fasoranti (GCHI); and Mr. Guti, A.D. (OSGF), secretary.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NOSDRA, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening oil spill prevention, response, and environmental restoration through the NIOSS 2026 platform.
Woke described the Nigeria International Oil Spill Summit and Expo as a premier multi-stakeholder platform designed to convene government leaders, oil and gas operators, research institutions, investors, host community representatives, and environmental advocates.
He said the summit would serve as a forum for developing sustainable strategies for oil spill prevention, emergency response, and ecosystem recovery.
