Tinubu signs bill establishing university of environmental technology in Ogoni

President Bola Tinubu has signed into law a bill establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology in Ogoni, Rivers state.

The signing took place at the presidential villa in Abuja on Monday.

Tinubu said the legislation is a step towards addressing environmental justice and expanding educational opportunities in the Niger Delta region.

The president described the Federal University of Environmental Technology as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s efforts toward environmental sustainability and national development.

He acknowledged the historical struggles of the Ogoni people, noting that the university reaffirms his administration’s commitment to the region.

“For decades, the Ogoni people have been at the forefront of the fight for environmental restoration and sustainable development, shaping both national and global conversations on these critical issues,” Tinubu said.

“By signing this bill into law, we are taking a decisive step towards addressing historical grievances and creating new opportunities for learning, growth, and prosperity.”

Tinubu said the university would serve as a centre of excellence, equipping young Nigerians with the skills to tackle environmental challenges, drive clean energy solutions, and contribute to national economic development.

He called on traditional institutions, the academic community, the private sector, and young people to embrace the university as a symbol of knowledge and progress.

The Ogoni people are an ethnic group in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria, primarily inhabiting Rivers state.

The Niger Delta region, and the Ogoni in particular, has faced severe environmental degradation over the years due to oil exploration.

The Ogoni are known for their long-standing activism against environmental degradation caused by oil exploration, particularly by multinational corporations.

In the early 1990s, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), led by the late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, drew global attention to the environmental destruction of Ogoni land.

This led to widespread protests and conflicts with the Nigerian government.