The House of Representatives has launched an urgent investigation into the territorial status of Eba Island, a move aimed at preventing a looming communal crisis between Ogun and Ondo States following the discovery of commercial oil in the area.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Joseph Adegbesan, who emphasized the need to protect national economic assets and maintain peace between the neighboring states.
One Name, Two Locations
At the heart of the brewing tension is a case of geographic nomenclature. Hon. Adegbesan clarified that while there are two locations named “Eba,” they are administratively and geographically distinct:
- Eba Island: Situated between the Oluwa and Alape Rivers within the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State.
- Inland Eba Community: Located within the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The lawmaker noted that Eba Island—the site of a recently approved oil well—has historically been recognized as part of Ogun State. He pointed out that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has consistently conducted elections there under the Makun/Irokun Ward of Ogun State.
The motion highlighted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) conducted rigorous due diligence on the site’s coordinates. Based on these findings, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently granted approval for commercial drilling.
Despite this, recent claims suggesting the oil-bearing island belongs to Ondo State have sparked concerns. Hon. Adegbesan warned that these claims, coupled with threats from certain groups to disrupt exploration, pose a direct risk to national security and economic stability.
“There has been no constitutional amendment, judicial pronouncement, or Federal Gazette transferring Eba Island from Ogun State to Ondo State since the 1976 state creation exercise,” Adegbesan argued.
The House expressed deep concern that unresolved territorial disputes over oil-rich areas could discourage foreign investment and threaten national revenue. To prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown communal clash, the House resolved to:
- Mandate the Committees on Special Duties and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to investigate the geospatial coordinates and official boundary documentation of Eba Island.
- Consult the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to verify inter-state boundaries.
- Report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
The House underscored that protecting national assets and ensuring a clear, constitutionally defined boundary is paramount to preventing crime and ensuring the safety of workers at the new oil site.
