• Persistent Low Production: The forum noted that despite previous leadership changes—including the removal of former NNPC GCEO Mele Kyari over corruption and non-performance claims—production output continues to hover below the 1.7 million barrels per day benchmark under current management.

• Licensing and Conflict of Interest Allegations: The professionals criticized the marginal fields licensing process, pointing to suspected insider influence, uneven rules, and overlapping block allocations (specifically concerning OML 64 and OML 98) linked to associates and personal networks of senior management, including Bayo Ojulari and a top NUPRC official.

• Calls for Removal: Expressing concern over transparency and accountability, the group demanded the removal of both Bayo Ojulari from his NNPC role and Meyiwa Eyesan from the NUPRC to safeguard the integrity of licensing and contract awards.

• Plea for Independent Oversight: While acknowledging that Ojulari has maintained his actions were done with presidential awareness, the forum stressed that public accountability requires transparent oversight rather than reliance on political proximity.

• Investor Confidence: The stakeholders urged the Presidency and oversight agencies to act swiftly and independently to clear up uncertainties and restore credibility to Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

Graduation and Evaluation of Forest Guards

• Event Representation: Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the pioneer batch of Armed Forest Guards, the NSA was represented by Malam Sani Sani, Director of Internal Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser.

• Top-Tier Training: Praising the initiative, Ribadu noted that national evaluations rank Kaduna’s training program as the best in the country, confirming the NSA’s willingness to support additional training requests if desired.

• Rigorous Preparation: The over 1,000 forest guards underwent intensive training covering weapons handling, physical fitness, battle readiness, civil-military cooperation, community relations, and adherence to the rule of law.

• Community Resilience: These beneficiaries are deployed to their home communities to act as first responders and establish a baseline of defense against invading threats before formal security forces arrive.

National Context and Presidential Directive

• Initiative Origin: The NSA recalled that President Bola Tinubu launched the Armed Forest Guard initiative on May 24, 2025, to train locals to secure ungoverned spaces, forests, watersheds, biodiversity, and wildlife.

• Forest Dominance: The guards are designed to create a security network that dominates forested areas and strips criminal elements of freedom of action.

• Strategic Leadership: President Tinubu directed the Office of the National Security Adviser to provide strategic leadership and oversee the nationwide training process.

Governor Uba Sani’s Remarks and Progress

• Call for Expansion: Governor Uba Sani expressed pride in the state’s top-rated program and formally requested an additional 1,000 forest guards, emphasizing that security remains a core priority of his administration.

• Improved Access: Highlighting progress since taking office in 2023, Sani noted that previously inaccessible local governments can now be visited safely without police escorts.

• Turnaround in Frontline Areas: Areas like Birnin Gwari, Giwa, and Kachia that were previously under siege are now experiencing a transformed security landscape due to federal partnership and President Tinubu’s backing.

• Vision for the Future: Reaffirming his commitment, Governor Sani pledged to continue working alongside stakeholders to build a strong, peaceful, and prosperous Kaduna State.