ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has reinstated Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), reversing an earlier decision to appoint Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi to the position.

The announcement was made by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu reinstates Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as HYREP coordinator.’ Ngelale clarified that Tinubu reached this decision after conducting a performance review of the HYPREP Project Coordinator.

Just two days earlier, Tinubu had approved the appointment of Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Special Duties, Culture and Tourism in Ondo State, to replace Zabbey as the new Project Coordinator.

Explaining the reason for the reversal, the Presidency stated, “President Tinubu reached the decision following a performance review of the HYPREP Project Coordinator and concluded that the Project Coordinator is fit to discharge his functions by the regulations guiding the execution of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project.”

Professor Nenibarini Zabbey was initially appointed as HYPREP Coordinator in May 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, succeeding Dr. Giadom Dumbari.

The official Twitter account of the Presidency, @NGRPresident, had previously announced the change in leadership, stating, “President @MBuhari has approved the termination of the appointment of the @HYPREPNigeria Project Coordinator, Dr. Ferdinand Giadom, and the appointment of Prof. Nanibarini Zabbey as the new Project Coordinator, with immediate effect.”

Ngelale emphasized, “By the directive of the President, the reinstatement of the HYPREP Project Coordinator takes immediate effect.”

This decision marks a significant development in the management of the HYPREP initiative, aimed at addressing environmental challenges posed by hydrocarbon pollution in impacted communities across Nigeria.