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RMAFC Reconstitutes Committee to Verify Disputed, Newly Drilled Oil Wells

Published

2 weeks ago

September 17, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has inaugurated a reconstituted Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) to verify the coordinates of disputed and newly drilled oil and gas wells from 2017 to date.

The exercise is aimed at strengthening fiscal transparency, ensuring equitable revenue allocation and promoting institutional integrity in the management of Nigeria’s oil and gas revenues.

Speaking at the inauguration held at the Commission’s new Boardroom on Wednesday, the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, said the exercise was in line with the Commission’s constitutional mandate to monitor accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account.

In a statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit of the Commission, Maryam Umar Yusuf, mnipr, Shehu said the verification would contribute to ensuring the equitable distribution of the 13 per cent Derivation Fund among oil and gas-producing states.

The Chairman explained that the Commission had discarded the previous draft report on the oil and gas wells verification exercise following several claims, counterclaims and complaints from various states.

He said the concerns raised centred mainly on the need to re-verify the coordinates of disputed and newly drilled wells and accurately plot the verified coordinates on approved maps.

According to him, the reconstituted committee must ensure that every verified coordinate, map used and boundary evaluated accurately reflects the situation on the ground.

He directed members to take relevant court decisions into consideration, rely strictly on approved maps and undertake physical verification of affected oil and gas wells where necessary.

To ensure efficiency and accountability, Shehu disclosed that a two-tier governance structure had been established for the exercise.

He said the first tier would comprise technical officers and subject-matter experts from RMAFC, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGoF), the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The technical team, he explained, would be responsible for ground-level verification, field inspections, technical analysis and preparation of the initial report.

The second tier, he said, would be an Executive Committee led by the leadership of RMAFC, which would provide strategic direction, ensure inter-agency coordination and oversee final approvals before the findings are presented for formal ratification.

Shehu assured the committee of the Commission’s institutional support, including engagement with relevant security authorities to facilitate administrative clearances, tactical assistance and security coverage during field operations, particularly in complex and coastal environments.

He added that Surveyors-General from affected states and representatives of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) would participate as observers to enhance transparency and credibility.

The RMAFC Chairman urged members of the committee to approach the assignment with integrity, objectivity and patriotism, stressing that the exercise was designed to achieve clarity, fairness and stability in the allocation of derivation revenue and provide a lasting resolution to disputes over oil and gas wells among beneficiary states.

He formally inaugurated the reconstituted IATC and expressed confidence that its findings would strengthen the credibility of revenue monitoring and allocation in Nigeria.

The Secretary of the Commission, Comrade Tosin Adeyanju, commended members of the committee for accepting the responsibility and urged them to place the national interest above all other considerations.

Adeyanju called for objectivity, fairness and diligence, noting that the committee’s work would attract considerable scrutiny because of lessons learned from previous verification exercises.

He expressed optimism that the committee would deliver a credible outcome that would serve the interests of the nation and affected states and stand as a lasting contribution to national development.

The inauguration was attended by the Chairman of the Crude Oil Monitoring Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Kano State, Hon. Adamu Abdu Fanda, as well as Federal Commissioners representing Osun, Edo, Yobe, Taraba, Zamfara, Jigawa and Ogun states.

Some of the commissioners are members of the Commission’s crude oil monitoring committee, while others serve on the gas monitoring committee.

Representatives of relevant government agencies also attended the inauguration.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

24 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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