Ogoni National Congress Backs Talks With Nigerian Govt To End 33-Year Conflict With Oil Industry

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has endorsed the ongoing dialogue between the Nigerian Government and the Ogoni people, expressing optimism that the engagement could bring an end to the decades-long conflict over oil exploration in Ogoniland.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an Ogoni National Congress convened under the auspices of MOSOP on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the organisation’s Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, Rivers State.

The congress, which brought together community leaders, youth groups, traditional rulers, women, politicians, students and professionals, deliberated on issues affecting the Ogoni people and adopted a series of resolutions.

According to the communiqué signed by MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, and Secretary-General, Alex Akori, the congress welcomed the dialogue being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“Congress welcomed the ongoing dialogue between the federal government and the Ogoni people through the Ogoni Dialogue Committee coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA),” the communiqué stated.

It added, “Congress resolved that after 33 years, it is time to seriously pursue avenues to end the conflict between the Ogoni people and the Nigerian oil industry and expressed hopes that the on-going dialogue will lead to mutually beneficial agreements to resolve the Ogoni issues.”

The congress also condemned the increasing incidents of communal violence in Ogoniland, urging all parties involved to embrace peaceful means of resolving disputes.

“Congress expressed strong condemnation of growing inter and intra-communal conflicts within Ogoni and called on all parties to explore peaceful dialogue as a means of resolving disagreements,” the communiqué said.

On the ongoing engagement with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the congress urged authorities to ensure that any agreements reached are faithfully implemented.

“Congress called on the Nigerian Government to ensure an honest transparent implementation of all agreements reached with the Ogoni people through the on-going dialogue process,” it stated.

The gathering also appealed to residents of Ogoniland to promote peaceful coexistence.

“Congress called on the Ogoni people to respect and tolerate one another to advance peace and good neighborliness in our communities,” the communiqué read.

The congress further raised concerns over the activities of herders in Ogoni communities and directed the leadership of MOSOP to engage relevant stakeholders to address the issue.

“Congress expressed deep concerns about the activities of herders in Ogoni communities and mandated the leadership of MOSOP to engage the leadership of the Northern Community in Rivers State to find an amicable solution to the problem,” the communiqué added.

Ogoniland is the homeland of the Ogoni people, located in Rivers State, Nigeria, within the Niger Delta. It is a fertile but heavily polluted region known for its mangrove forests, swamps, and creeks, and has become globally recognized for environmental struggles linked to oil exploitation.

Today, Ogoniland remains central to discussions about environmental cleanup, resource control, human rights, and whether oil production should resume after years of suspension. The Federal Government has been holding dialogue with Ogoni stakeholders to address these issues.