Ogoni youths today took to the streets of Port Harcourt to protest over alleged continued neglect of the University of Environment and Techology, Saapkenwa, Ogoniland by the Nigerian National Peteoleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The youths who gathered under the auspices of Ogoni Youths Development Initiative (OYDI) in collaboration with the South-South Youths Initiative (SSYI), at the former Zonal office of NNPCL, Moscow road, marched through Court road, Government House and terminated at the DSS office, Port Harcourt, demanding urgent funding and support for the institution.
The protesters were armed with placards inscriptions like, “NNPC Pay FUET Contractors,” “NNPC Adhere to Mr President’s Directive,” “NNPC Fund Our Ogoni University,” and “Ogoni University Must Be Funded by NNPCL,”
Aaddressing journalists, the leader of the group, Comrade Imeabe Oscar Saviour, said that the youths were forced to embark on the protest following the expiration of a seven- day ultimatum issued to NNPC to fund the school or face series of actions.
He alleged that the company had failed to fulfill its obligations toward the development of the university.
Oscar recalled that the Federal Government established the instotution on February 3, 2025, and President Bola Tinubu directed the NNPCL to provide financial support for the take-off and development of the university.
He lamented that the company has refused to act on the directive, ignoring to fund the institution.
The failure to release funds, according to him, had stalled critical infrastructure needed for the effective operation of the institution.
He added that the situation had left students, contractors, and the university management in difficult circumstances, describing it as unfair to the Ogoni people.
“As we speak, no funds have been released to the university as directed by the President. Students do not have access to lecture halls, laboratories, or hostel facilities. Contractors who undertook projects at the university are also stranded after taking loans to execute the work.
“The students are stranded, contractors are stranded, these contractors took out loans for the project in that school, NNPCL led by Basir Ojulari directed that the school or the project should go ahead”, Saviour said.
Speaking further, he pointed out that the establishment of the university was part of the confidence-building measures for the proposed resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni land.
Saviour warned that the protest was only a warning demonstration, emphasising that the youths would intensify their actions if their concerns were not addressed.
“We are here today for a peaceful protest to express our dissatisfaction with what we consider neglect. If our demands are not met, we will escalate the protest and take it to the NNPCL headquarters in Abuja.
“We are just here for a warning protest. If the NNPCL or Mr. President refuse to address our demand, we’ll be forced to come back here tomorrow and then after tomorrow, we’ll be going to NNPCL Towers in Abuja.
“To actually tell NNPCL led by Bashir Bayo Ojulari that we are not comfortable and that we are not happy with the high level of negligence that we are being faced at this time.”
Responding to the protesters, the Head of Corporate Services and Administration of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mfon Attih, informed the youths that the zonal office of NNPCL was no longer at Moscow road and advised them to follow up on their correspondence with the NNPCL in Abuja.
“I appreciate the fact that you came here peacefully. I encourage you to maintain that peace and follow up on your letter, either by sending representatives or issuing a reminder. I believe the leadership will respond to youri concerns.
“You came peaceably and I will enjoin you to keep that peace”, she said.
