Three Years On, Kolmani Oil Field Remains Silent

After approximately three years since the kickoff of the ambitious Kolmani oil drilling project, Weekend Trust visited the site to assess its current status. The Kolmani River field, situated on the boundary between Bauchi and Gombe states in the Gongola Basin, stands as one of the most crucial inland hydrocarbon prospects outside the Niger Delta region.

On a bright Saturday morning in January 2026, our team embarked from the outskirts of Alkaleri in Bauchi State, heading towards Kolmani, the site noted as the first commercial oil discovery in Northern Nigeria. Despite its proximity—just 68 kilometers from Alkaleri—the journey extended to nearly an hour and a half, largely due to the deteriorating road conditions.

As we neared our destination, we noted the field's uncanny silence and restrained movements. Our aim was to investigate the status of the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, which had been launched on November 22, 2022, by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Historically, multinational corporations like Shell and Chevron conducted explorations in the Kolmani area within the Benue Trough but withdrew due to poor initial results, technical hurdles, and exorbitant operational costs associated with transporting heavy machinery to this isolated locale.

In a pivotal moment in 2019, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) declared a significant breakthrough with the discovery of crude oil in commercially viable quantities. During the official inauguration, the late President Buhari indicated that the field potentially harbors about one billion barrels of oil along with 500 billion cubic feet of gas.

During that time, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was then the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed his dedication to the project. At campaign events and subsequent discussions with the Emir of Gombe, he reiterated his support for the project, assuring that he would continue where Buhari had left off.

However, years following that inauguration, uncertainty continues to loom over the project's future. This situation has been exacerbated by Executive Order 9, which has raised alarm among stakeholders who fear that the stripping of revenue streams from NNPC Ltd may hinder crucial exploratory projects, especially in the Northern regions, including the Lake Chad Basin and Kolmani.

On February 13, 2026, President Tinubu implemented the Executive Order requiring direct remittance of all oil and gas revenues to Nigeria's Federation Account, effectively dismantling long-standing revenue retention strategies previously established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021.

Observers are concerned that, while aimed at increasing government revenue, this directive could complicate exploration activities in Northern Basins such as Chad, Sokoto, Benue, and Anambra.

Critics argue that this order poses a significant obstacle, placing active exploratory and geological efforts in the North at risk of stagnation.

They stress that this policy could lead to the abandonment of technical equipment, consequently increasing the costs associated with resuming operations later.

Concerns have also been raised regarding how this policy engenders uncertainty, prompting international partners to reassess their roles in Northern Nigeria’s oil exploration initiatives.

Northern states that had begun strategizing local economic growth tied to oil exploration now risk halting these plans.

Martin Onovo, a petroleum engineer, voiced his concerns to Weekend Trust, claiming the federal government has acted “mischievously and deceptively” regarding the removal of the 30% Frontier Exploration Fund (FEF).

He highlighted that Tinubu’s order to remand oil revenues into the Federation Account while eliminating FEF retention by the NNPC signals a lack of effective governance.

Onovo warned this measure would not only starve the exploratory efforts in northern basins but also lead to job losses and diminish the country's overall exploration activities.

He criticized the president's move to override the Petroleum Industry Act with the executive order as misguided.

Upon arrival at the Kolmani site, our crew noted significant security presence, yet the oil rigs and key technical personnel were conspicuously absent, a broken zinc sheet flapping in the wind atop a storage facility intended for drilling materials.

An anonymous worker on-site disclosed that professional teams had vacated the area, citing unresolved issues between contractors and the government, despite being slated for a four-year stay.

"They left before reaching the one-year mark," the worker noted. "We suspect they had a fallout with the government."

This work stoppage has adversely affected many, as subsequent layoffs have led to severe financial hardship for some workers. The worker shared a poignant comparison of their plight to that of a formerly affluent individual suddenly facing bankruptcy.

Even with the disruption, he emphasized the project’s potential: “We achieved significant progress. Oil wells were drilled, and samples were sent out for global evaluation, receiving positive feedback. All we need is for the government to come back to us."

The project had promised to be a major economic driver, including plans for a 120,000-barrel-per-day refinery, a gas processing facility, a fertilizer plant, and a 300-megawatt power plant, offering hope to the surrounding Gombe and Bauchi communities.

However, Musa Abubakar, a youth leader in Sabon Kaura, lamented feelings of exclusion. “We have multiple demands for job opportunities for our people. Despite our young citizens holding diplomas, they are overlooked, which leaves us feeling betrayed.”

Elder Muhammadu Ahmadu recalled seeing the equipment being removed: “We eyed the heavy trucks taking the working rigs away. Our appeal is for operations to restart.”

Community leader Isa Ibrahim from Salihawa, within the Kolmani area, urged the government to expedite the project’s completion. “The opening of oil reserves was a moment of joy; it brings the potential for financial empowerment that can develop the North. We need this exploration finalized—and I want to see our youths gain employment.”

Unfortunately, that hope is entwined with frustration, as Muhammadu Sadi, another local, described high unemployment and neglect of local skills. “My heart is heavy. We saw this discovery as our path to advancement, yet it has led to repeated setbacks. No one from our village was given a job; instead, outsiders were hired, and once work halted, none of my friends or family found employment.”

The Kolmani project operates under a partnership involving NNPCL (having a 51% stake), the New Nigeria Development Company (holding 49%), Africa Oilfield Movers Limited, and Sterling Global Oil.

According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, asset licenses for Kolmani were granted in 2006. In May 2025, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources disclosed that President Tinubu had sanctioned all critical licenses for the undertaking. The clarity on whether this action affirms or redefines earlier agreements remains elusive, igniting discontent from stakeholders, including Dr. Ahmad Gana, a former Gombe state health commissioner.

Dr. Gana expressed disappointment, rejecting claims that personnel and assets were merely transferred after their tasks were completed. “This abandonment is incredibly disheartening,” he stated. “Just like the Mambilla power project that remains merely on paper, Kolmani seems to be another unmet promise. You don't clear an entire site if your goal is to ensure a smooth employee transition. How can work continue?”

Dr. Ladan Salihu, previous Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), pondered if the project had become ensnared in bureaucratic ‘red tape’. He urged the government to perform a SWOT analysis while collaborating with local stakeholders to resolve ongoing deadlocks.

“We are calling for the government and NNPC Limited to expedite drilling efforts so our communities can reap economic benefits. They need to engage every sector involved to assess strengths, weaknesses, and challenges hindering this project. I am confident that the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision will materialize,” he affirmed.

The slow progress on the Kolmani oil field has reignited allegations of regional favoritism. Analysts suggest these inequalities are deeply rooted in the historical dynamics of Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

Nigeria possesses seven primary sedimentary basins, but their development is drastically uneven. The southern sectors—Niger Delta, Anambra Basin, and Dahomey Basin—are currently productive, while the northern basins, including the Benue Trough where Kolmani is located, remain underexploited.

This disparity continues to spark discussions about political commitment and federal engagement in northern exploration.

Engineer Yabagi Sani, a retired senior NNPC official who once led a monitoring group for the Bida Basin, provided historical insights. “Exploration in the North originated alongside that in the Niger Delta,” Sani observes. “The subsequent shift in focus toward the South arose from perceptions of greater feasibility.”

Despite the challenges presented by northern drilling, Sani believes a greater commitment could have accelerated progress, noting that five years should suffice to secure an oil well. He attributes this failure to a general lack of accountability within local leadership.

“We do not hold our leaders accountable in the North,” Sani contends. “Who questions the budget? Who is assessing allocations for advancing Kolmani or the Sokoto and Benue Basins? The fault lies with our local officials.”

To break the cycle of stagnation, Sani recommends adopting a ‘sweet and sour’ investment policy, similar to strategies employed by other countries.

“Such a policy allows governments to manage investor relations effectively,” he elaborates. “For instance, offer a lucrative license for exploring the Niger Delta (the sweet), but condition it on the commitment to explore and develop wells in the North (the sour). This would foster equitable growth throughout the nation.”

Moreover, he criticized Northern state governors for prioritizing regional airlines over direct investment in Kolmani. “Governments should not engage in airline operations. They should be allocating billions to demonstrate their commitment to making Kolmani productive, rather than pursuing easy revenue sources.”

As the Kolmani operations have stilled, neighboring communities are faced with escalating incidents of kidnapping, with several residents displaced by bandits exploiting the void left by the project’s halted progress.

Views are mixed on whether the oil discovery has incited criminal activity. An anonymous worker noted a concerning increase in insecurity.

“Recently, we lost three to five individuals. This is unusual; it has never occurred before. These incidents may not directly target the oil field, but we fear that the insecurity could soon encompass us all, as criminals also demand exorbitant ransoms,” he stated.

In Sabon Kaura, desperation is palpable. “Security forces are doing their best, but the kidnappers are well-armed and powerful,” stated Muhammad Sarkin Yamma. “They invade homes; resisting them could cost you your life.”

Madugu Hassan, another local resident, pointed to luggage piles indicating families fleeing the area. “We keep changing where we sleep nightly. Reports of ransoms of N10 million to N30 million are common. Sometimes, despite payment, they kill the victims.”

As the Kolmani project remains stagnant, the Northeast Governors’ Forum has shifted its attention, recently proposing a regional airline—an initiative that has faced criticism from those asserting that the region's natural resources should be prioritized instead.

Engineer Yabagi Sani voiced his discontent, stating, “The government should concentrate on large-scale projects like Kolmani that yield economic benefits across various sectors. Instead, it appears they are looking for quick financial returns. Governors should be investing substantially to ensure Kolmani's productivity rather than pursuing airline ventures.”

Several hard truths have emerged from this investigative effort:

1\. No active drilling currently occurs at the Kolmani oil field.

2\. The heavy oil rigs that were once present have all been demobilized and removed from the site.

3\. Key operational and technical staff are no longer on the premises.

In pursuit of clarity, Weekend Trust attempted to engage both state and federal authorities:

\- Gombe State: The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Sanusi Ahmed Pindiga, confirmed via text that “efforts are underway,” with a consultant expected to brief the media soon.

\- Bauchi State: Attempts to reach the Commissioner of Natural Resources Development, Muhammad Maiwada, went unanswered despite repeated calls and inquiries.

\- NNPC Limited: Weekend Trust submitted a formal Freedom of Information request to the CEO, Bayo Ojulari, in Abuja, but, at the time of reporting, had not received any response.

Meanwhile, an anonymous employee of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) revealed that the delay in operations at Kolmani results from a lack of investors willing to assume operations following the government's withdrawal.

The source stated, “Without a private firm stepping in to continue where the government left off in discovering commercially viable crude oil, there’s little the government can do.”

He explained that potential investors are apprehensive regarding the logistical challenges of the field—specifically, the need for pipeline infrastructure to transport crude to a refinery or export terminal. Given the field's distance from potential utilization points, the investment required to construct the necessary facilities is daunting, running into billions of dollars.

The Kolmani field was heralded as a pivotal turning point—the dawn of Northern Nigeria's oil era. Today, it lays in silence, far from the previously high expectations. Licenses may be in place, promises have been made, but the rigs are absent.

The pressing question remains: When will Kolmani transition from political rhetoric to tangible commercial production? For now, the stillness at the location resonates louder than any official statements.