The federal government has not made any decision on the reallocation of disputed crude oil wells between Nigeria’s oil-producing states, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, confirmed on Friday. This clarification comes amid circulating media reports claiming that an Inter-Agency Committee had recommended transferring certain oil wells to specific states.
The dispute primarily involves Akwa Ibom and Cross River states and revolves around the ownership of offshore oil wells and the allocation of revenue under Nigeria’s 13 percent derivation principle. The disagreement traces back to the Supreme Court’s 2012 ruling that ceded the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, resulting in the loss of oil wells previously attributed to Cross River State. Since then, both states have sought clarity on the proper demarcation and entitlements of these offshore assets.
Shehu stressed that the draft report submitted by the Inter-Agency Committee on February 13, 2026, is still undergoing technical and statutory review. Key agencies such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the National Boundary Commission (NBC), and the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF) are expected to provide observations and recommendations before the Commission can deliberate.
The RMAFC will further review the report internally through its tripartite committees on Crude Oil, Gas and Investment, and Legal Matters. Only after completing this comprehensive technical and legal assessment will the Commission formulate final recommendations to be transmitted to the President and the Attorney-General of the Federation, in line with constitutional procedures.
Dr. Shehu emphasized that media reports suggesting final decisions are “misleading and premature.” He urged the public, stakeholders, and media organizations to await official communication. With the statutory review still ongoing, the allocation of these oil wells—and the associated derivation revenue—remains a matter of careful procedural scrutiny, reflecting the Commission’s commitment to transparency and due process.
source: Leadership