The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has clarified that reports suggesting certain disputed crude oil and gas wells are set to be ceded to specific states are misleading and premature.
In a statement released on Sunday, RMAFC Chairman Dr. Mohammed Shehu addressed a report circulating in national media that purportedly came from the Inter-Agency Committee on the Verification of Coordinates of Disputed Crude Oil and Gas Wells between States. The report claimed recommendations had already been made to allocate specific oil wells to particular oil-producing states.
RMAFC described the report as “misleading, premature, and not reflective of the commission’s official position.” According to the statement, no final decision has been taken regarding the ceding or reallocation of any oil wells, as institutional review processes are still ongoing.
“At this stage, there is no finalized recommendation or decision regarding the ceding or reallocation of any oil wells, as due institutional processes are still ongoing,” the commission said.
Ongoing Institutional Review Process
RMAFC explained that it operates a transparent procedure in handling matters of national importance. The commission received a draft report from the inter-agency committee on February 13, 2026, which has now been forwarded to key stakeholders for detailed review. These include:
Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)
National Boundary Commission (NBC)
Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation
Following feedback from these agencies, the commission’s internal tripartite committees — including the Committee on Crude Oil, Gas and Investment and the Legal Matters Committee — will conduct further technical and legal reviews. Their findings will then be presented to the Plenary Session of RMAFC for deliberation and final recommendations.
Once finalized, the report will be formally submitted to the President and Attorney-General of the Federation for consideration in line with constitutional provisions.
“In view of the above procedures, the report circulating in the media is speculative and should not be relied upon,” the statement read.
Call for Stakeholder Cooperation
Earlier, RMAFC had called on oil-producing states to actively participate in plotting verified coordinates of disputed and newly drilled oil wells. Speaking at the exercise in Abuja from January 26–30, 2026, Chairman Mohammed Shehu emphasized that full cooperation by the states is essential for achieving an outcome acceptable to all parties.
“It is critical that affected states actively participate while plotting verified coordinates to ensure the outcome is accepted by all,” Shehu said, assuring that the commission remains impartial throughout the process.
RMAFC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, due process, and the objective discharge of its constitutional mandate in managing Nigeria’s oil and gas resources.
