Dan Etete, a former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, has been hailed as a visionary leader and the architect of Nigeria’s oil sovereignty by Ijaw environmental activist, Bolouowei Kurokeme. Kurokeme credits Etete with laying the groundwork for Nigeria’s current successes in local content development through bold policies implemented during his tenure from 1995 to 1998. He argues that Etete’s foresight in prioritizing indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector paved the way for President Bola Tinubu’s recent “Nigeria First Policy,” which emphasizes domestically produced goods and services. Kurokeme highlights the significant increase in local content participation in the oil and gas sector, reaching an unprecedented 56% by the end of 2024, attributing this achievement to the foundation laid by Etete’s visionary leadership. He portrays Etete as a pioneer who challenged foreign monopolies and empowered Nigerian entrepreneurs, despite the political volatility and international scrutiny that characterized the period.
Etete’s tenure coincided with a period of significant foreign dominance over Nigeria’s oil resources. Kurokeme asserts that despite the challenging political climate, Etete championed the allocation of oil blocks to Nigerian-owned companies, a move aimed at promoting economic sovereignty and transferring wealth to local communities. This included the controversial allocation of OPL 245 to Malabu Oil and Gas, a decision that later became embroiled in legal disputes. Kurokeme defends Etete’s involvement in the OPL 245 saga, maintaining that Etete held no direct interest in the oil block and served merely as a consultant to Malabu. He argues that the case exemplifies how nationalist efforts in developing countries are often unfairly vilified when they threaten the interests of international corporations. He portrays Etete as a patriot committed to ensuring that Nigerians, particularly those in the Niger Delta region, benefited directly from their natural resources.
Kurokeme emphasizes the importance of Etete’s legacy in the rise of indigenous oil companies in Nigeria. He credits Etete with initiating reforms that empowered local businesses and fostered their growth within the oil and gas sector. He asserts that the current successes enjoyed by indigenous companies are a direct result of the policies and initiatives implemented during Etete’s time as Minister of Petroleum Resources. Kurokeme believes that Etete deserves recognition and commendation for his contributions, rather than the condemnation he has often received. He portrays Etete as a misunderstood reformer whose pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s economic landscape has been deliberately downplayed.
The environmental activist’s defense of Etete extends to the controversial OPL 245 saga. Kurokeme reiterates his belief that Etete did not have any personal stake in the oil block and emphasizes that no court has found him guilty of corruption in relation to the deal. He frames the Malabu case as an example of how nationalist endeavors in developing nations are often unfairly targeted when they challenge the established interests of international capital. Kurokeme maintains that Etete, despite any imperfections, was a patriot driven by a desire to see Nigerians benefit from their natural resources. This defense underscores Kurokeme’s broader argument that Etete’s contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector have been unjustly overlooked and misrepresented.
Beyond the OPL 245 controversy, Kurokeme highlights Etete’s broader impact on the Nigerian oil and gas industry. He credits Etete with establishing the Marginal Field Decree of 1998, a policy designed to ensure broader Nigerian participation in the oil and gas sector. He argues that this decree laid the foundation for the growth of indigenous oil companies and the increased local content participation witnessed in subsequent years. This reinforces Kurokeme’s portrayal of Etete as a forward-thinking leader whose policies had a lasting positive impact on the Nigerian economy. He urges the Federal Government to formally acknowledge Etete’s contributions and initiate a national conversation to rectify what he perceives as a distorted historical narrative surrounding his legacy.
In conclusion, Kurokeme paints a picture of Dan Etete as a visionary leader unfairly maligned and whose substantial contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector have been deliberately overlooked. He credits Etete with laying the foundation for Nigeria’s current success in local content development, empowering indigenous oil companies, and championing the cause of economic sovereignty. While acknowledging the controversies surrounding Etete’s tenure, particularly the OPL 245 saga, Kurokeme defends him as a patriot whose primary motivation was to ensure that Nigerians benefited from their natural resources. He calls for a reassessment of Etete’s legacy and urges the Federal Government to formally recognize his contributions to the nation’s economic development.
