Ogun reaffirms ownership of Eba Island, dismisses Ondo claims

The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its territorial jurisdiction over Eba Island in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, dismissing contrary claims from some quarters in Ondo State as misleading and capable of generating avoidable tension.

The clarification follows public debates and a motion sponsored by Hon. Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo, representing Ilaje Federal Constituency in Ondo State, after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the commencement of drilling at an abandoned oil well on Eba Island.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said the island where the approved oil well is located falls squarely within Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, as defined by official records of the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

He stated that Eba is a long-established community whose status predates Nigeria’s independence and has remained unchanged since the creation of Ogun State in 1976, noting that no constitutional amendment, judicial pronouncement, or federal gazette has altered the boundary.

The government clarified that there are two locations known as “Eba,” explaining that while one lies near the Ondo State forest reserve, the larger Eba Island hosting the approved oil well is entirely within Ogun State’s coastal corridor.

Akinmade added that the presidential approval for drilling followed due diligence by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other federal institutions, which confirmed the well’s location within Ogun State. He noted that the presence of naval security assets in the area further reflects federal recognition of Ogun as the host state.

The statement also referenced historical and administrative records, including colonial gazettes, survey plans, lease agreements, and INEC documentation, all of which situate Eba Island within Makun/Irokun Ward of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.

While urging restraint and responsible engagement, the Ogun State Government reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation with federal authorities in safeguarding national assets, stressing that “the facts are clear and the law is settled” on the location of Eba Island.