The Federal Government has renewed efforts to revive exploration activities at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State, following the suspension of operations at the site since July 2025.
Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammad Bello, gave the assurance on Monday during a verification visit to the oil field located at Barumbu in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.
Bello said the visit was aimed at assessing the current state of the project and pushing for the resumption of exploration activities, describing the Kolmani oil project as strategically important to Bauchi State, the North-East region and the Nigerian economy.
According to him, the commission was determined to restore the momentum generated by the project following its official launch in 2023.
“We want the momentum of the project that was started in 2023 to return. We want to verify for ourselves what is going on so that we can advocate for this important project to continue,” Bello said.
The RMAFC chairman added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had shown concern over the suspension of the project and assured the governors of Bauchi and Gombe states that efforts would be made to mobilise the necessary resources for its continuation.
He said the commission would evaluate its findings from the visit and submit them to relevant authorities, while its oil and gas committee would continue to monitor developments surrounding the project.
As part of the visit, Bello also inspected the ongoing construction of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, commending the state government for establishing an institution expected to provide skilled manpower for the nation’s oil and gas industry.
Earlier, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Natural Resources, Maiwada Bello, disclosed that exploration activities at the Kolmani Oil Field had remained suspended since July 2025.
He said the state government became concerned after receiving reports from host communities that the technical company handling the project was demobilising from the site.
According to the commissioner, the state subsequently set up a joint team with the Alkaleri Local Government authorities to engage the company and seek clarification on the situation.
Bello expressed optimism that the RMAFC’s intervention and verification visit would strengthen efforts to bring the project back on stream.
He added that the Bauchi State Government, under Governor Bala Mohammed, was ready to provide the required manpower and other necessary support to facilitate the resumption of exploration activities at the oil field.
