FG Moves to Revive Stalled Kolmani Oil Exploration Project

The Federal Government has renewed efforts to restart oil exploration at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State, with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) pledging to support the revival of activities at the site.

The RMAFC Chairman, Muhammad Bello, made the commitment on Monday during an inspection and verification visit to the oil field.

He said the commission was at the site to assess the current condition of the project and determine the steps required to get exploration activities back on track.

Bello described the Kolmani project as strategically important to Bauchi State, the North-East and Nigeria as a whole.

He said reviving the project would create economic opportunities and allow communities in the region to benefit from the country’s oil and gas resources.

According to him, the commission wants to restore the momentum generated when the project began in 2023 and will continue to engage relevant authorities to ensure that exploration resumes.

He noted that President Bola Tinubu was aware of the importance of the project and had assured the governors of Bauchi and Gombe that efforts would be made to mobilise resources for its continuation.

Bello said the RMAFC would review the situation at the oil field and submit its findings to the appropriate authorities while continuing to monitor developments through its oil and gas committee.

During the visit, the RMAFC chairman also inspected the ongoing construction of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy.

He commended the Bauchi State Government for establishing the institution, saying it would help provide the skilled manpower needed when oil exploration and production activities become fully operational.

He also disclosed that the RMAFC had contributed part of the funding used to develop the institution.

Earlier, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Natural Resources, Maiwada Bello, revealed that exploration activities at the Kolmani site had been halted since July 2025.

He explained that the state government became aware of the development after receiving reports from the host community that the technical company handling the project was gradually withdrawing from the site.

According to the commissioner, the state government subsequently formed a joint team with the relevant local government authorities and engaged the company to determine the reasons behind the suspension of activities.

Maiwada said the RMAFC’s visit had renewed hope that operations would soon resume.

He assured that the Bauchi State Government, under Governor Bala Mohammed, remained committed to providing the manpower and other necessary support required to facilitate the continuation of the exploration project.

The Kolmani oil discovery has been regarded as a potentially significant development for the North-East, with expectations that successful exploration could boost economic activity, create jobs and expand government revenue.

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