The President-General of the Ogoni Youth Federation and spokesman for the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum, Legborsi Yamaabana, has expressed support for the Federal Government’s efforts to restart oil and gas operations in Ogoniland, while calling for young people to have a direct role in the process.
Yamaabana made the call in a statement on Wednesday marking the 2026 International Youth Day, where he praised Niger Delta youths for their contribution to peace and stability across the oil-producing region.
He said the cooperation of young people with government authorities and security agencies had helped create conditions for increased oil production and improved national revenue.
“The recent gains in Nigeria’s oil output are a direct result of the commitment to peace demonstrated by our youth, ” he said.
According to him, youths in the Niger Delta are increasingly rejecting economic sabotage and embracing collaboration with security agencies and government institutions in pursuit of sustainable development.
Yamaabana particularly welcomed moves to revive operations in Oil Mining Lease 11 (OML 11) in Ogoniland after more than three decades of inactivity.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for efforts to resolve the longstanding issues surrounding the oil block, describing a successful restart of operations as a potentially significant achievement for the administration.
While pledging the support of Ogoni youths for renewed exploration and production, he stressed that their involvement should go beyond simply supporting the initiative.
“While we fully support the Federal Government’s efforts to reactivate OML 11, the youth must be actively involved in all consultations and operational frameworks, ” he said.
Yamaabana warned that excluding young people from decisions affecting their communities could undermine efforts to achieve lasting peace and sustainable oil production.
He argued that meaningful youth participation would help build trust, address local concerns and create a stronger foundation for renewed economic activity in Ogoniland.
The youth leader also appealed for calm among young people in Ogoniland as discussions over the proposed resumption continue.
He announced plans to convene an Ogoni Youth Congress in the coming days to provide a platform for youths to discuss critical issues affecting the area and consider their role in the next phase of development.
Yamaabana said the congress would also provide an opportunity for young people to engage constructively with the issues surrounding the planned return of oil and gas activities.
Linking his message to the 2026 International Youth Day theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” Yamaabana urged Nigerian youths to look beyond political, ethnic and religious differences.
He called for greater unity around shared objectives, including peace, security, inclusive development and economic prosperity.
The Ogoni youth leader said the Niger Delta’s experience demonstrated the importance of involving young people in decisions affecting their communities, particularly where natural resources, employment and environmental concerns were involved.
He maintained that a peaceful and inclusive approach to the proposed OML 11 restart would be critical to ensuring that renewed oil and gas activity translates into sustainable benefits for Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta.
