Niger Delta Youth Leaders Forum Urges Greater Support for Tantita

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

Leaders of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (NDENLF) have urged the federal government, the National Assembly, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to provide full support to the Tantita group so that the region can maintain its recent increase in production to 1.8 million barrels per day (BPD).

Chairman Jonathan Lokpobiri made the appeal while presenting the NDENLF summit resolutions, which were adopted on Friday in Port Harcourt.

“The leaders of our nation must take serious action on the demands outlined in our communiqué,” Lokpobiri said. “Development in the Niger Delta remains far from reality. Companies are engaged in health and security initiatives, but sabotage continues to rise. Our message is clear: the National Assembly, the National Security Adviser, and the NNPCL must support those already working effectively in the region so that the environment can continue to heal.”

Key points from the communiqué include calls for stronger collaboration, communication, and stakeholder engagement to drive youth empowerment, local participation, and sustainable development in the oil and gas sector.

The Forum also demanded more inclusive engagement mechanisms to ensure that youths are adequately informed, consulted, and integrated into programmes and opportunities designed for the Niger Delta’s advancement.

NDENLF praised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment and political will toward peace, stability, and development in the Niger Delta—a region that has long suffered environmental degradation, neglect, poverty, and marginalization despite its significant contribution to the Nigerian economy.

However, the Forum noted that the scale of infrastructural deficits and development challenges requires more deliberate, strategic, and sustained investments from the federal government and relevant development agencies.

NDENLF Secretary Eniwake Orogun remarked, “Over 2,000 youths gathered for the main event of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum summit on energy, security, and peace in the region.”

He highlighted the summit’s focus on the peace experienced in the Niger Delta, especially regarding oil and gas infrastructure. “The government wisely recognized the importance of involving private security companies to protect our pipeline infrastructure,” Orogun added. “Tantita Security Services is one such company.”

Orogun noted that while some dissenting voices have emerged, the overall sentiment among the youth is satisfaction with Tantita Security Services and other private security firms engaged in the area.

Blessed Ughere, national youth president of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) youth wing, stated, “With Tantita, there is peace, employment, and opportunities for the youth, and we stand with Tantita.”