Is Ebonyi Government Threatening Community Land and Mineral Rights? Host Communities Petition Gov. Nwifuru Over Nigercem Dispute
Host communities of the Nigerian Cement Company (Nigercem Plc) in Ebonyi State have petitioned Governor Francis Nwifuru over what they describe as growing threats to their land, mineral resources and legally established rights. The communities, through a petition dated January 7, 2026 and signed by Dr. Sulaiman Usman, SAN, accused unnamed political actors of attempting to undermine existing court judgments and community consents under the pretext of building a new state-owned cement plant.
In the petition addressed to the governor at the Ebonyi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, the communities warned that recent developments could “gravely prejudice” their proprietary rights and destabilize the lawful future of Nigercem Plc. They recalled that Ibeto Group lawfully acquired majority shares in Nigercem in 2010, but that the Ebonyi State Government under former Governor Martin Elechi allegedly revoked the company’s mining lease, a move they resisted through litigation.
According to the petition, prolonged court battles ended in 2013 with judgments in favour of Ibeto Group and the host communities. The communities said they supported the investor because earlier plans to site a new cement plant outside their area would have reduced them to mere limestone suppliers without benefiting from the economic and social gains of hosting a functioning cement factory.
While welcoming Governor Nwifuru’s campaign pledge to work with Ibeto Group to revive Nigercem, the communities expressed disappointment that a 15-member committee set up in August 2025 has yet to publicly present its findings. Their concerns deepened after the governor announced plans during the 2026 budget presentation to borrow ₦150 billion to build a new state-owned cement plant, despite the existence of Nigercem Plc.
The petition further alleged that some political office holders from the host clan were pressured on December 31, 2025, to sign a fresh consent letter purportedly revoking earlier agreements with Ibeto Group. The communities described this development as “deeply unsettling,” adding that the proposed site for the new plant lacks commercially viable limestone deposits and would still depend on resources from their land.
They also rejected what they called an “unauthorised and self-appointed committee” allegedly acting in their name, warning that they would resist any attempt to reduce Nigercem to a mere limestone excavation zone or to bypass existing legal rights through political manipulation.
In their appeal, the communities urged Governor Nwifuru to halt any action affecting ownership, mineral rights or control of Nigercem Plc and to convene an inclusive town hall meeting involving traditional rulers, professionals, youth and women groups, religious leaders and other stakeholders to transparently determine the company’s future.
As of the time of filing, the Ebonyi State Government had not issued an official response. However, the communities said they remain open to dialogue, expressing confidence in the governor’s sense of justice and statesmanship.
The unfolding dispute raises critical questions about resource control, investor confidence, community rights, and state-government intervention in Nigeria’s extractive sector. Observers warn that failure to address the grievances transparently could trigger renewed legal battles and social tensions in Ebonyi State.
Host communities of the Nigerian Cement Company (Nigercem Plc) in Ebonyi State have petitioned Governor Francis Nwifuru over what they describe as growing threats to their land, mineral resources and legally established rights. The communities, through a petition dated January 7, 2026 and signed by Dr. Sulaiman Usman, SAN, accused unnamed political actors of attempting to undermine existing court judgments and community consents under the pretext of building a new state-owned cement plant.
In the petition addressed to the governor at the Ebonyi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, the communities warned that recent developments could “gravely prejudice” their proprietary rights and destabilize the lawful future of Nigercem Plc. They recalled that Ibeto Group lawfully acquired majority shares in Nigercem in 2010, but that the Ebonyi State Government under former Governor Martin Elechi allegedly revoked the company’s mining lease, a move they resisted through litigation.
According to the petition, prolonged court battles ended in 2013 with judgments in favour of Ibeto Group and the host communities. The communities said they supported the investor because earlier plans to site a new cement plant outside their area would have reduced them to mere limestone suppliers without benefiting from the economic and social gains of hosting a functioning cement factory.
While welcoming Governor Nwifuru’s campaign pledge to work with Ibeto Group to revive Nigercem, the communities expressed disappointment that a 15-member committee set up in August 2025 has yet to publicly present its findings. Their concerns deepened after the governor announced plans during the 2026 budget presentation to borrow ₦150 billion to build a new state-owned cement plant, despite the existence of Nigercem Plc.
The petition further alleged that some political office holders from the host clan were pressured on December 31, 2025, to sign a fresh consent letter purportedly revoking earlier agreements with Ibeto Group. The communities described this development as “deeply unsettling,” adding that the proposed site for the new plant lacks commercially viable limestone deposits and would still depend on resources from their land.
They also rejected what they called an “unauthorised and self-appointed committee” allegedly acting in their name, warning that they would resist any attempt to reduce Nigercem to a mere limestone excavation zone or to bypass existing legal rights through political manipulation.
In their appeal, the communities urged Governor Nwifuru to halt any action affecting ownership, mineral rights or control of Nigercem Plc and to convene an inclusive town hall meeting involving traditional rulers, professionals, youth and women groups, religious leaders and other stakeholders to transparently determine the company’s future.
As of the time of filing, the Ebonyi State Government had not issued an official response. However, the communities said they remain open to dialogue, expressing confidence in the governor’s sense of justice and statesmanship.
The unfolding dispute raises critical questions about resource control, investor confidence, community rights, and state-government intervention in Nigeria’s extractive sector. Observers warn that failure to address the grievances transparently could trigger renewed legal battles and social tensions in Ebonyi State.
Is Ebonyi Government Threatening Community Land and Mineral Rights? Host Communities Petition Gov. Nwifuru Over Nigercem Dispute
Host communities of the Nigerian Cement Company (Nigercem Plc) in Ebonyi State have petitioned Governor Francis Nwifuru over what they describe as growing threats to their land, mineral resources and legally established rights. The communities, through a petition dated January 7, 2026 and signed by Dr. Sulaiman Usman, SAN, accused unnamed political actors of attempting to undermine existing court judgments and community consents under the pretext of building a new state-owned cement plant.
In the petition addressed to the governor at the Ebonyi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, the communities warned that recent developments could “gravely prejudice” their proprietary rights and destabilize the lawful future of Nigercem Plc. They recalled that Ibeto Group lawfully acquired majority shares in Nigercem in 2010, but that the Ebonyi State Government under former Governor Martin Elechi allegedly revoked the company’s mining lease, a move they resisted through litigation.
According to the petition, prolonged court battles ended in 2013 with judgments in favour of Ibeto Group and the host communities. The communities said they supported the investor because earlier plans to site a new cement plant outside their area would have reduced them to mere limestone suppliers without benefiting from the economic and social gains of hosting a functioning cement factory.
While welcoming Governor Nwifuru’s campaign pledge to work with Ibeto Group to revive Nigercem, the communities expressed disappointment that a 15-member committee set up in August 2025 has yet to publicly present its findings. Their concerns deepened after the governor announced plans during the 2026 budget presentation to borrow ₦150 billion to build a new state-owned cement plant, despite the existence of Nigercem Plc.
The petition further alleged that some political office holders from the host clan were pressured on December 31, 2025, to sign a fresh consent letter purportedly revoking earlier agreements with Ibeto Group. The communities described this development as “deeply unsettling,” adding that the proposed site for the new plant lacks commercially viable limestone deposits and would still depend on resources from their land.
They also rejected what they called an “unauthorised and self-appointed committee” allegedly acting in their name, warning that they would resist any attempt to reduce Nigercem to a mere limestone excavation zone or to bypass existing legal rights through political manipulation.
In their appeal, the communities urged Governor Nwifuru to halt any action affecting ownership, mineral rights or control of Nigercem Plc and to convene an inclusive town hall meeting involving traditional rulers, professionals, youth and women groups, religious leaders and other stakeholders to transparently determine the company’s future.
As of the time of filing, the Ebonyi State Government had not issued an official response. However, the communities said they remain open to dialogue, expressing confidence in the governor’s sense of justice and statesmanship.
The unfolding dispute raises critical questions about resource control, investor confidence, community rights, and state-government intervention in Nigeria’s extractive sector. Observers warn that failure to address the grievances transparently could trigger renewed legal battles and social tensions in Ebonyi State.
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