The Nigerian Federal Government's endorsement of oil extraction on Eba Island has reignited an ongoing custodial dispute within Ogun State, prompting the members of the Ode Omi Kingdom to warn of possible communal discord if the situation is not promptly resolved.
On January 28, 2026, the community submitted a formal objection to Governor Dapo Abiodun, expressing gratitude towards both the governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their roles in advancing the oil drilling initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
However, the residents pointed out that renewed conflicting claims regarding the ownership of Eba Island now threaten the tranquility of the Ijebu Waterside region.
This protest follows a previous letter, allegedly written by a competing traditional leader, asserting sovereignty over Eba Island as ancestral property. Ode Omi Kingdom refuted this claim, branding it historically baseless and potentially inflammatory to tensions in the coastal sector.
The objection was relayed through a statement credited to High Chief Prince Shittu Aliu Adeyemi, the Balogun of Ode Omi Kingdom, on behalf of the community.
As per the declaration, Eba Island has belonged “since time immemorial” to the Lenuwa ruling families of Ode Omi Kingdom, particularly the Ojafoyewa and Ojagbuwa royal lineages, along with other esteemed families within the kingdom.
The community added that members of these royal families had historically inhabited Eba Island and neighboring Eba villages, which border Irokun Town, a nearby settlement. They further revealed that two Kings of the Lenuwa of Ode Omi Kingdom, from the Ojafoyewa lineage, were raised in the Eba settlements during the 17th and 19th centuries.
In raising concerns regarding the timing of the resurgence of ownership claims, the community noted that these disputes emerged only after President Tinubu approved oil drilling efforts on the island.
“We are deeply troubled that this claim arose merely following the sanction of crude oil drilling, and we are anxious to prevent any escalation that could disrupt the peace in our area,” the statement articulated.
The community has appealed to both President Tinubu and Governor Abiodun for urgent intervention, calling for an impartial investigation by the relevant state bodies and the Ogun State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs to validate long-standing historical claims regarding Eba Island.
Reaffirming their commitment to peaceful coexistence, the community characterized Ode Omi as a harmonious kingdom that has maintained positive relationships with adjacent communities, citing Oba Folailu Adekunle Hassan (Oshotekun II) as a foundational ruler in Ijebu territory.
The statement also underscored that Eba Island was never shared with any traditional monarchs from the Ilaje communities currently located in Ondo State. They urged all stakeholders to seek dialogue and lawful avenues to uphold peace and stability within the region.
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