The Federal Government has pledged to facilitate the remobilisation of exploration activities at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State, with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) moving to assess the status of the project and support efforts to revive operations.
The Chairman of RMAFC, Muhammad Bello, made the commitment on Monday during a verification visit to the oil field, where he said the commission was determined to establish the current state of the project and advocate the continuation of exploration activities.
Bello described the Kolmani project as important not only to Bauchi State and the North-East but to Nigeria as a whole, stressing the need to restore the momentum generated when the project commenced in 2023.
“We want the momentum of the project that was started in 2023 to return. We want to come and verify for ourselves what is going on so that we can advocate for this project, this important project, to continue, so that the people of the North-East of Nigeria can further benefit,” he said.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu is concerned about the project and has assured the governors of Bauchi and Gombe states that efforts would be made to mobilise resources for the continuation of the exploration programme.
“We know for a fact that Mr President is very much concerned as far as this project is concerned. We know that he has assured the two governors that there will be mobilisation for the project to continue,” Bello said.
The RMAFC chairman said the commission would conduct a comprehensive assessment of the project and submit its findings to the relevant authorities as part of efforts to facilitate the resumption of exploration.
“We will go back after assessing what type of project this is and what is going on. We will continue to follow it because we operate by committees, and we will be looking at oil and gas,” he added.
The development comes after exploration activities at the Kolmani field reportedly stalled, raising concerns about the fate of one of Nigeria’s major attempts to expand oil production beyond the traditional Niger Delta region.
Earlier, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Natural Resources, Maiwada Bello, disclosed that activities at the site had stopped since July 2025.
He said the state government became aware of the development after receiving reports from the host community that the company handling the technical aspects of the project had begun demobilising from the site.
“When we came here, actually there was no activity. Shortly after you left, between January 2025 and somewhere around June, July 2025, we received news from the host community that the company operating in this area was demobilising,” the commissioner said.
Maiwada explained that the state government subsequently formed a joint team with the local government to engage the technical company handling the project and determine the reasons for the cessation of activities.
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The renewed intervention by RMAFC, he said, had raised hopes that exploration activities would resume at the oil field.
He assured that the Bauchi State Government, under Governor Bala Mohammed, remained prepared to provide the manpower and other necessary support required to facilitate the project.
“Bauchi State under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed is ever ready to provide every manpower needed to support the exploration,” Maiwada said.
During the visit, Bello also inspected the ongoing construction of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, commending the state government for developing an institution that could provide the skilled manpower required to support the oil and gas project when exploration becomes fully operational.
He noted that part of the funds used in constructing the institution was provided by RMAFC.
The proposed resumption of activities at Kolmani is expected to renew attention on the development of oil and gas resources in the North-East, while potentially creating new opportunities for investment, employment, skills development and revenue generation for the region and the country.
Victor Ezeja is a Nigerian journalist skilled in producing insightful news analyses, feature stories, and interviews that simplify complex issues and drive informed public discourse. His work combines rigorous research, balanced reporting, and compelling storytelling to highlight developments shaping industries and society. Victor, who holds a Master's Degree in Mass Communication, specializes in energy, aviation, business, and economic reporting. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X