A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), maritime experts and policy advocates has raised serious concerns over Nigeria’s maritime boundary management and the allocation of offshore oil wells, calling for urgent intervention by the Federal Government.

The concerns were presented on Thursday in Abuja during a civil society roundtable where the coalition leader, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, addressed stakeholders and unveiled the communiqué issued after a recent verification mission to Nigeria’s offshore maritime corridor bordering Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

The communiqué followed a technical fact-finding and verification exercise conducted at sea on February 28, 2026, focusing on Nigeria’s offshore hydrocarbon blocks OML 114, OML 115 and OML 123 as well as the maritime boundary areas involving Nigeria, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

Dr. Nwambu explained that the mission involved maritime governance stakeholders, mapping professionals and public policy experts who undertook physical observation of the maritime corridor, technical mapping verification and consultations with relevant authorities.

According to the coalition, the mission sought to independently verify the status of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries, offshore hydrocarbon entitlements and the implications of administrative and regulatory decisions affecting the Cross River maritime corridor.

ICJ Judgment Clarified
Presenting the findings, the coalition noted that the 2002 judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) between Nigeria and Cameroon ceded only specific settlements in the southern Bakassi Peninsula — Atabong, Akwabana and Archibong Town — to Cameroon.

The coalition stressed that several areas often assumed to have been ceded were not included in the ruling.

“The Cross River Estuary and the western Bakassi peninsular islands of Dayspring I and II, Abana and Kwa Island were not ceded under the ICJ judgment,” the communiqué stated.

The group further emphasized that Nigeria still maintains maritime boundary continuity between the Cross River Estuary and the Akwayefe River Estuary based on the ICJ cartographic evidence and the physical geography of the region.

Dr. Nwambu also clarified that the Cross River Estuary remains Nigeria’s natural maritime gateway to the Atlantic Ocean and provides Cross River State with direct offshore access.

Questions Over Boundary Management

A major concern raised by the coalition relates to the actions of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) in implementing the Offshore/Onshore Dichotomy Abrogation Act using what it described as a temporary implementation map.

According to the communiqué, the baseline drawn from Tom Shot into the Cross River Estuary effectively closed the estuary’s mouth to the sea, thereby rendering Cross River State non-littoral.

The coalition warned that this development raises serious constitutional, economic and national security concerns.

It further criticized the NBC for failing to demarcate the Nigeria–Cameroon maritime boundary more than two decades after the ICJ ruling, stating that continued reliance on the temporary map could jeopardize Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

The report also alleged that the situation has effectively resulted in the ceding of about 780 hectares of maritime waters within the Cross River Estuary toward the Akwayefe River Estuary to Cameroon.

Oil Wells and Revenue Concerns

Beyond boundary issues, the civil society coalition raised alarm over oil revenue allocation and the management of transboundary oil fields.

According to the findings, the failure of relevant institutions to brief the President on key inter-agency reports could prevent Nigeria from exploiting 49 identified transboundary oil wells located within OML 114 in the Cross River Estuary.

The coalition also raised concerns over alleged financial irregularities relating to the Ekanga and Zafiro transboundary oil fields jointly developed by Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.

It alleged that more than ₦33 billion may have been approved from the Federation Account in favour of Akwa Ibom State without clear presidential authorization.

The group further questioned whether revenues from the Ekanga and Zafiro fields — estimated at over $8 billion — had been properly remitted into the Federation Account.

Call for Presidential Intervention

To address the concerns, the coalition recommended several urgent measures, including a presidential review of the 2024 and 2025 inter-agency oil verification reports affecting Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

It also called for the proper demarcation of the Nigeria–Cameroon maritime boundary in line with the ICJ judgment and the establishment of a Presidential Special Investigation Panel to probe the alleged loss of Nigerian maritime waters.

Other recommendations include a forensic audit of revenues from the Ekanga and Zafiro oil fields, investigation into the alleged ₦33 billion payment approvals, and diplomatic engagement with Cameroon to develop transboundary reservoir agreements.

The coalition also urged the Federal Government to restore and recognize Cross River State’s littoral status based on the geographic and legal status of the Cross River Estuary.

National Security Implications

In its concluding remarks, the coalition warned that the issues uncovered during the verification mission have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s territorial integrity, maritime sovereignty, national security and oil revenue accountability.

Dr. Nwambu called on the President to treat the matter with urgency, stressing that transparent management of maritime boundaries and offshore resources remains critical to Nigeria’s economic stability and geopolitical standing.

The communiqué was jointly signed by representatives of the coalition of civil society organizations, maritime policy experts, technical observers and economic governance accountability groups.

Nigerian Youth under the leadership of Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly to present Senator Olajide Ipinsagba with the Most Dishonourable Senator of the year award.

EUYI previously threatened to present the Senator with the award, citing a plethora infractions and unwholesome dealings especially with his legislative aids and associates.

The group urged the Senate President to grant them access to the hallowed chambers to make the presentation as wake up call to other public servants.

Addressing the press at the National Assembly complex, Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince disclosed that they had gathered as early as 7 am at the National Assembly gate only to discover that the Senate is not sitting and that the embattled Senator was absent despite prior information.

“We’re angry that Senator Olajide Ipinsagba has refused to show up and collect his award for his dishonourable conduct especially as it pertains the exploitation and underemployment of Nigeria youth under his office

“How can a Senator be paying his legislative aid 30,000 naira when the national minimum wage is 70,000 Naira? Is he the only one that needs money? Is it not wickedness to treat unemployed Nigerian youth like that?”, he queried.

The group vowed to go ahead and present the award to the Senator in person, be it in the Senate Chambers or his house. We shall however not give the award to anybody but the senator due to the “seriousness of his offense”

The Network of Advocacy for Positive Impact Initiative (NAPII) has cautioned against the spread of unverified allegations concerning the operations of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), warning that such claims could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the Executive Secretary of the organization, Comrade William Smith Bassey, said the advocacy group convened the media briefing to promote balanced engagement and prevent misinformation in the power sector.

Bassey said while public scrutiny of government institutions remains important in a democratic system, allegations capable of affecting critical national infrastructure must be handled responsibly and through appropriate institutional channels.

According to him, Nigeria’s electricity transmission network plays a central role in the country’s power supply chain and therefore requires stability, public confidence, and constructive engagement from all stakeholders.

“The transmission system is the backbone of the nation’s electricity supply architecture. It connects power generation to distribution companies across the country. Any narrative that casts doubt on this vital institution must be examined carefully to ensure it does not distort public perception,” he said.

The group noted that recent reports circulating in the media about the operations of TCN appeared to contain sweeping claims that could create unnecessary anxiety within the power sector if not properly contextualized.

NAPII maintained that government agencies such as TCN operate under established administrative procedures and regulatory oversight that ensure transparency and accountability in their activities.

Bassey explained that issues relating to procurement processes, operational decisions, and management policies within public institutions are subject to review by the appropriate authorities, including supervising ministries and regulatory bodies.

“Where concerns exist, they should be presented through formal mechanisms that allow proper investigation and resolution. Public accusations without adequate verification risk creating tension and diverting attention from ongoing reforms in the power sector,” he said.

The organization also highlighted the operational challenges faced by transmission infrastructure across Nigeria, noting that transmission facilities are spread across vast geographical areas, including remote and difficult terrains that require continuous monitoring and technical intervention.

According to the group, maintaining and expanding the national grid requires consistent efforts by engineers and technical teams who work round the clock to ensure electricity transmission remains stable.

NAPII stressed that at a time when the country is making efforts to improve power supply, strengthen grid stability, and support economic development, stakeholders must act with a sense of national responsibility.

The advocacy group advised interested parties to utilize available institutional processes to obtain relevant information about TCN’s budgetary allocations and operational activities, particularly through records approved by the National Assembly and relevant oversight bodies.

“We believe that issues affecting institutions as strategic as the Transmission Company of Nigeria should be addressed through dialogue, responsible advocacy, and evidence-based discussions rather than exchanges that may generate confusion,” Bassey said.

He added that the organization has confidence in the current management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria and urged stakeholders to allow the institution to continue carrying out its mandate without undue distractions.

NAPII further emphasized that national institutions must be strengthened through constructive criticism and proper oversight mechanisms rather than weakened by narratives that may not fully reflect the realities within the sector.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible public discourse, transparency, and balanced engagement on matters affecting Nigeria’s development.