FG Maps Coordinates for New, Disputed Oil Fields Under 13% Derivation

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has started plotting the coordinates of disputed and newly drilled oil and gas fields located along the boundaries of Nigeria’s oil-producing states.

The fields in question include those at the borders of Edo and Delta, Ondo and Delta, Anambra and Delta, Anambra and Imo, Rivers and Imo, Rivers and Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom, and Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

At the opening of a five-day exercise involving officials from the affected states and Federal Government agencies, RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Shehu, said the coordinates had been identified and would now be officially plotted.

Shehu emphasized that the Commission is committed to fair and equitable treatment, noting its constitutional role in ensuring that the 13% derivation fund is distributed properly to oil- and gas-producing states.

He explained that in June 2025, RMAFC inaugurated an inter-agency technical committee that included the National Boundary Commission, the Office of the Surveyor General, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and RMAFC. The committee’s task was to verify and plot coordinates for disputed and newly drilled oil and gas wells.

“It is a constitutional requirement that 13% derivation be given to states where minerals are produced, particularly crude oil and gas. NUPRC reached out to the Commission so we could verify the coordinates of new and disputed wells, which we have done,” Shehu said.

He added that in September and October 2025, officials visited the field, accompanied by Surveyor Generals from all oil-producing states to serve as witnesses. “Teams went to the high seas, creeks, and all relevant locations. This exercise concluded recently, and reports have now been submitted. The plotting of coordinates begins now. Traditional disputes exist between states over ownership of fields, and this process is a continuation of the verification effort,” he explained.

Shehu noted that the plotting would take five days and that the final report is expected next week.

Kadija Umo, Chairman of the Inter-agency Technical Committee, earlier highlighted that RMAFC undertook physical verification of coordinates to ensure accuracy.

The exercise demonstrates the government’s effort to maintain transparency and fairness in allocating derivation funds from oil and gas production, aiming to reduce conflicts between producing states.