Oil in Tongji: What Ogun State Must Remember Before the First Drill Turns

 

By Otunba Segun Showunmi | The Alternative

The commencement of oil drilling in Tongji marks a historic moment for Ogun State. It is a milestone many believed would take decades to reach, and it deserves recognition. Ogun State can rightly be congratulated for arriving at this point, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also deserves commendation for fostering a national climate that supports exploration, investment, and the expansion of Nigeria’s resource base beyond its traditional oil-producing regions.

Yet, while this discovery signals opportunity, it also places a heavy responsibility on government, investors, and citizens alike.

Nigeria’s history shows that oil can be both a blessing and a burden. It has fueled national growth, but it has also left behind environmental damage, social tension, and economic inequality where foresight and accountability were absent. As drilling prepares to begin in Tongji, Ogun State stands at a critical crossroads. The choices made now will determine whether this discovery becomes a story of progress or a cautionary tale.

Ogun’s Values Must Guide This New Era

In Yoruba philosophy, Ogun is the deity of iron, technology, and industry—but also of discipline, justice, and restraint. Ogun rewards work done with care and truth, and punishes recklessness. These values must guide this new chapter in Ogun State’s development.

Safety Must Come Before Speed or Profit

Oil extraction involves volatile materials and complex machinery. Strong safety standards, proper worker training, and strict enforcement of regulations are non-negotiable. One preventable accident can cost lives and destroy public trust. Development that sacrifices human life is not development at all.

Protecting Land and Water Is Essential

The environment of Tongji sustains farming, livelihoods, and daily survival. Groundwater, rivers, and farmlands must be protected from pollution, spills, and gas flaring. Environmental impact assessments should be continuous and independently monitored, not treated as a one-time formality. Ogun State has the advantage of learning from the painful experiences of other oil-producing regions—and must not repeat their mistakes.

Host Communities Must Be Partners, Not Bystanders

The people of Tongji deserve transparency, consultation, and respect. Fair compensation for land use, local employment opportunities, and skills development must be prioritized. Oil extracted from beneath a community’s soil should translate into visible improvements in that community’s quality of life. Inclusion builds stability; exclusion breeds resentment.

Transparency and Accountability Are Non-Negotiable

President Tinubu has consistently emphasized reform, investment confidence, and accountability. These principles must be reflected at the state and local levels. Agreements with oil companies should be clear and open to public scrutiny, while revenues must be invested in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental protection. Secrecy remains the breeding ground of corruption.

Preparedness for Environmental Emergencies Is a Moral Duty

Oil spills and industrial accidents are real risks, not abstract possibilities. Response plans, equipment, and trained personnel must be in place before drilling begins. When damage occurs, responsibility must be clear and action swift. Communities must not be left to suffer while institutions debate liability.

Respect for Culture and Ancestral Heritage Matters

Land in Tongji is not merely economic—it is ancestral and spiritual. Sacred sites and cultural heritage must be identified and protected. Development that erases identity ultimately undermines social harmony.

Leadership Determines the Outcome

Oil, by itself, is neither a curse nor a blessing. It becomes one or the other through leadership choices.

As Ogun State steps into this new era—and as the Federal Government supports expanded exploration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership—this is the moment to choose wisdom over haste, transparency over secrecy, and long-term well-being over short-term gain.

As the drills prepare to turn in Tongji, Ogun must remember:

iron builds when guided by discipline, but careless iron destroys.

— Otunba Segun Showunmi

The Alternative