The landmark project, located at the site of Nigeria’s first oil well, was formally handed over by key stakeholders through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), signaling the end of all preparatory procedures and the green light for full-scale construction.

Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB and Project Lead, described the multi-billion-naira initiative as a symbolic and socio-economic milestone. Represented by the board’s Director of Corporate Services, Abdulmalik Halilu, Ogbe emphasized that Nigeria must follow international practice by commemorating the origin of its oil industry—just as seen in oil heritage sites like Pennsylvania in the United States.

The facility will include a world-class oil and gas museum, interactive exhibitions, and a research and testing centre aimed at serving students, professionals, and tourists alike. A dedicated governance framework has been put in place to ensure accountability, with the local community given a stake in the project’s management.

Julius Berger’s Deputy Regional Manager (South and East), Rimon Marisho, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to quality delivery, thanking the NCDMB, Bayelsa State Government, and Otuabagi community for their support. “This is a perfect beginning. We are ready to deliver a project that meets both global standards and community expectations,” he said.

The Oloibiri project is being funded by four partners: the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (40%), NCDMB (30%), Renaissance Africa Energy Ltd (20%), and the Bayelsa State Government (10%).

Community leaders, including the Stakeholder Committee chaired by Prof. Teddy Adias, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Otuoke, were praised for helping resolve earlier disputes around the project’s location—clearing the path for construction on the 55-hectare site.

Once completed, the Oloibiri Museum is expected to become a national heritage centre, preserving the legacy of Nigeria’s oil industry while boosting local tourism, education, and development.

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The ceremony, held at the Otuabagi community town hall in Ogbia Local Government Area, marks a major milestone in the decades-long effort to immortalize Oloibiri as the birthplace of Nigeria’s oil industry, where commercial crude production began in 1957.

The multibillion-naira initiative is a collaborative effort between the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Renaissance Africa Energy (formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company), and the Bayelsa State Government.

Designed to serve as both an educational and tourism hub, the OMPRC will comprise a state-of-the-art Oil and Gas Museum featuring interactive digital exhibits and historical artifacts, as well as a Research and Testing Centre offering field training opportunities around an abandoned well.

Speaking at the handover, NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe—represented by Director of Corporate Services, Abdulmalik Halilu—described the project as a landmark in Nigeria’s energy and historical preservation efforts. He drew parallels with international examples such as Pennsylvania in the U.S., where similar heritage infrastructure commemorates oil exploration history.

Halilu assured the host community of their inclusion throughout the project and urged local youth to take advantage of upcoming job and training opportunities.

Bayelsa State Chief of Staff, Peter Akpe, called the ceremony a transition from promise to action, lauding the project stakeholders and the Otuabagi community for their patience and resilience.

Julius Berger’s Deputy Regional Manager, Rimon Marisho, pledged the company’s full commitment to delivering a quality project in partnership with local stakeholders.

Ijaw leaders, including Professor Benjamin Okaba of the Ijaw National Congress and Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri of the Ijaw Youth Council, expressed support for the project and promised to safeguard its successful delivery.

Professor Teddy Adias, Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Otuoke, and Chairman of the Stakeholder Committee, hailed the moment as historic, recalling that the idea for the museum was first proposed in 1981 during the administration of President Shehu Shagari.

The project’s funding is shared across stakeholders: PTDF (40%), NCDMB (30%), Renaissance Africa Energy (20%), and the Bayelsa State Government (10%).

With construction now underway, the OMPRC is poised to become a landmark destination celebrating Nigeria’s oil heritage while promoting education, tourism, and research.

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