.FGN-INTER-AGENCY-COMMITTEE-SUBMITS-REPORT-TO-RMAFC; CROSS-RIVER-RE-DESIGNATED-AS-OIL-PRODUCING-STATEOFFICIAL-PRESS-RELEASE

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FGN INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEE SUBMITS REPORT TO RMAFC; CROSS RIVER RE-DESIGNATED AS OIL-PRODUCING STATE

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Abuja | February 14, 2026

The Federal Government Inter-Agency Committee on Nigeria’s Oil-Producing States has officially submitted its final report concerning the 2017–2025 nationwide verification of crude oil and gas coordinates. The report was presented to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC),

 Mr. M. B. Shehu, on Friday, February 13, 2026.

This submission marks the culmination of a rigorous six-month technical exercise conducted between August 2025 and February 2026.

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION AND SCOPE OF WORK

The high-level Inter-Agency Committee comprised technical experts and representatives from the following bodies:

Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC)

National Boundary Commission (NBC)

Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGoF)

Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)

Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)

Nigerian Hydrographic Agency

Security Agencies

The verification team conducted on-site assessments across 12 states, including Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, Abia, and Cross River. Over 1,000 new crude oil and gas coordinates were verified based on established onshore and offshore boundaries.

RESOLUTION OF BOUNDARY OVERLAPS AND WELL ATTRIBUTIONS

A critical achievement of this exercise was the technical resolution of long-standing boundary-related overlaps. Shared attributions were established for several border regions, including:

Rivers – Akwa Ibom

Delta – Edo

Delta – Ondo

Imo – Rivers

Imo – Anambra

Akwa Ibom – Cross River

While Akwa Ibom State is projected to receive the highest number of new attributions, the 2012 Supreme Court judgment continues to influence the distribution of approximately 76 wells in contested maritime zones.

CROSS RIVER STATE: RE-ENTRY INTO OIL-PRODUCING STATUS

In a significant development for the nation’s fiscal landscape, Cross River State is projected to be formally re-enlisted as an oil-producing state. This follows the verification of onshore and offshore reservoir coordinates, particularly within OML 114, situated in Cross River’s maritime territory.

Despite the complexities of previous judicial rulings, the state provided exhaustive scientific and geological evidence during the 2025 verification cycle. Current technical projections indicate that Cross River will regain its status with a verified count of over 100 producing oil wells.

IMPLEMENTATION AND NEXT STEPS

The Chairman of the RMAFC expressed his commendation for the committee’s dedication to a "rigorous and technical assignment." The process now moves to the following stages:

Presidential Review: The report will be forwarded to the President for final consideration.

Plenary Approval: Upon Presidential assent, the RMAFC Board of Commissioners will convene to approve the operational framework.

Fiscal Update: The official list of Nigeria’s oil-producing states and the 13% Derivation Fund allocation will be updated to reflect the new attributions.

Authored by: Ashiru Makama Gobir

Date: February 14, 2026

Would you like me to draft a formal cover letter to accompany this report for the President's review?