FG plans national database to monitor oil spills
2026-02-17 - 16:56
By Folarin Kehinde, Abuja The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish a national oil spill database for real-time monitoring and strengthen inter-agency surveillance mechanisms as part of efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s oil spill response framework. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while inaugurating the Joint Project Management Committee (JPMC) for the maiden Nigeria International Oil Spill Summit and Expo (NIOSS). Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening environmental governance through innovation, collaboration and accountability. He charged members of the committee to deliver a summit that would generate practical recommendations, enhance regulatory coordination and improve Nigeria’s global standing in oil spill management. The summit is spearheaded by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency in collaboration with Green Clean Innovation Hub Limited. Director-General of NOSDRA, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, described NIOSS as a landmark intervention aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s oil spill governance framework through strategic partnerships and adoption of global best practices. He said the agency intends to leverage the summit to roll out transformative initiatives, including the development of a comprehensive national oil spill database to enable real-time tracking of incidents, improve transparency and ensure data-driven response strategies nationwide. Woke also disclosed plans to strengthen inter-agency surveillance systems to guarantee faster detection and coordinated responses, while promoting community-centered response models that empower host communities as active stakeholders in environmental protection. Beyond policy engagement, he noted that the summit would focus on attracting investment in remediation technologies, promoting coastal resilience projects and integrating innovative financing mechanisms such as carbon credit frameworks to support long-term ecosystem restoration. Also speaking, Consultant to Green Clean Innovation Hub Limited, Mr. Promise Amaha, described NIOSS as a transformative platform designed to bridge policy, technology and community engagement, assuring stakeholders of a globally benchmarked summit capable of driving sustainable environmental impact. The inauguration ceremony was attended by directors from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, senior officials of NOSDRA and representatives of partner organisations.