President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, will serve as Chairman of the reconstituted Governing Council.
Other members include Loanyie Barituka Victor, representing environmental NGOs; Bright Onyebuchi Jacob and Henry Obiabure, representing Niger Delta communities; Prof. Barinedum Nwibere and Baride Gwezia, representing the Ogoni community; and Gideon Onyebuwa and Dr. Ibikunle Omotehinse, representing the nine oil-producing states.
The President also appointed four alternate members: Dr. Abraham Olungwe and Maeba Ekpobari for Ogoniland, and Joseph Akedesuo and Beauty Warejuowei for the Niger Delta.
For the HYPREP Board of Trustees, Emmanuel Deeyah was reappointed as Chairman. Other members include Fred Igwe and Dr. Fred Kpakol for Ogoni communities and stakeholders; Mrs. Dorcas Amos for other Niger Delta communities; and Chief Jide Damazio, reappointed to represent environmental NGOs.
The reconstitution follows a closed-door meeting in January between President Tinubu and key Rivers State stakeholders — including suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former Governor Nyesom Wike, and Ogoni leaders — to address challenges facing the Niger Delta cleanup and political tensions in the state. The meeting was attended by top government officials, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, former NNPCL GCEO Mele Kyari, and Minister of Information Mohammed Idris.
International partners have also pledged support for the project. In March, the Belgian government reaffirmed its commitment to the Ogoni cleanup and broader socio-environmental solutions during a visit by Belgian Ambassador Pieter Leenknegt and mangrove expert Prof. Olof Linden to HYPREP Project Coordinator Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey.
The United Nations has also promised technical assistance in mangrove restoration, climate change mitigation, food security, clean water access, and public health. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, said the initiative aligns with the UN’s environmental, human rights, and peacebuilding goals.
