RMAFC begins plotting for resolution
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has called on oil-producing states to fully engage in an initiative aimed at resolving disputes over oil and gas well coordinates. During a flag-off event in Abuja, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu emphasized the importance of the states’ participation in a plotting exercise scheduled from January 26 to 30, 2026. He highlighted that the cooperative involvement of these states is crucial to achieving a widely accepted resolution to ongoing disputes.
Shehu reassured the states that the commission would act impartially throughout the process, promoting justice, equity, and fairness. He stated that the exercise aligns with RMAFC’s constitutional mandate to oversee revenue distribution from the Federation Account, particularly the equitable allocation of the 13 percent derivation fund designated for oil- and gas-producing states.
To facilitate this process, an Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) has been formed, comprising representatives from the National Boundary Commission, the Office of the Surveyor General, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and RMAFC itself. This committee has already completed the verification phase of the coordinates for disputed and newly drilled oil and gas wells, moving now into the plotting phase. Shehu noted that this phase will pinpoint the exact locations of disputed wells as well as appropriately attribute newly drilled wells to their rightful owners.
Dr. Khadija Kumo, Director of the Crude Oil Department at RMAFC, elaborated on the operational dynamics of the initiative. She described it as the most thorough verification of oil well coordinates conducted by the commission. The National Boundary Commission provided essential base maps, while the Office of the Surveyor General handled the plotting, with RMAFC coordinating between the surveyors of the affected states. This comprehensive endeavor involved extensive fieldwork in challenging conditions, as Kumo mentioned that they spent long hours at sea, highlighting the importance of the mission.
The exercise entails addressing disputes involving newly created wells and those that may be shared between multiple states. Kumo explained that states with concerns would be visited for on-ground verification of their submitted coordinates, marking a significant improvement over previous methods that relied solely on reported data. The ongoing plotting exercise, which involves transparency measures, is being conducted with oversight and participation from surveyor generals and commissioners from the affected states.
The plotting schedule covers states including Edo, Delta, Ondo, Anambra, Imo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River—each impacted by disputes or new well developments. The exercise’s structure is phased, with different states participating on specific days. For instance, the first day features Edo and Delta states, with subsequent days anticipating extensive participation from Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, among others. The final day will be dedicated to a general review and conclusion by the IATC.
Ultimately, the RMAFC’s efforts are aimed at ensuring that the outcome of this initiative is transparent, fair, and accepted by all stakeholders involved, thereby contributing to a more equitable resource management framework in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
