The Federal Government has inaugurated the Joint Project Management Committee (JPMC) for the maiden (NIOSS), officially unveiling the summit’s logo and commencing preparations for the international conference.
The inauguration, held in Abuja, was performed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, , who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana.
Kana explained that the initiative, spearheaded by the (NOSDRA) in collaboration with , was conceived in response to the persistent oil spill incidents across the country and their devastating impact on affected communities.
In a statement signed by Dewan Nengak Goshit, Head of Information and Public Relations Department, OSGF, Kana noted that Nigeria has recorded over 1,000 oil spill cases annually, with an estimated 13 million barrels of crude oil spilled over time. He described the environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, destruction of livelihoods, public health challenges and economic setbacks arising from the spills as issues too grave to ignore.
He urged the nine-member committee to discharge its duties with professionalism and patriotism, assuring that NIOSS would strengthen national and sub-national oil spill preparedness and response capacity, promote innovation and technology transfer, encourage collaboration among stakeholders, and position Nigeria as a leader in oil spill response and coastal restoration.
The committee has been mandated to ensure transparency, coordination, accountability and timely delivery of all components of the summit.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NOSDRA, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enhancing oil spill prevention, emergency response and environmental restoration through NIOSS 2026.
He described the summit as a premier multi-stakeholder platform that will bring together government officials, oil and gas operators, research institutions, investors, host communities and environmental advocates to develop sustainable strategies for oil spill prevention, emergency response and ecosystem recovery.
