# Fact-Checking Claims Regarding Cross River State’s Oil-Producing Status

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/fact-checking-claims-regarding-cross-river-states-oil-producing-status/
- Published: 2026-11-06T06:21:10+00:00
- Author: Olamide

During a recent All Progressives Congress (APC) rally, Senator Adams Oshiomhole 
asserted that Cross River State has transitioned into an oil-producing state under
the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This claim has sparked interest
regarding the legal and administrative criteria required for a state to be officially
recognized as oil-producing in Nigeria.

## Understanding the Criteria for Oil-Producing Status

In Nigeria, the designation of a state as ‘oil-producing’ is not merely a geographic
or geological determination but carries significant fiscal implications, particularly
concerning the 13 percent derivation fund. According to reports from _Premium Times_,
the criteria for this status are governed by specific legal frameworks and administrative
decisions made by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Historically, Cross River State lost its status as an oil-producing state following
the 2002 Supreme Court judgment that ceded the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon. This
loss resulted in the state being stripped of its littoral status and, consequently,
its access to derivation funds previously enjoyed from offshore oil wells.

## The Role of the RMAFC and Federal Recognition

The _Premium Times_ analysis highlights that for a state to be officially recognized
as oil-producing, the RMAFC must verify the presence of commercial oil production
and approve the state’s inclusion in the derivation revenue sharing formula. While
various political figures have advocated for the restoration of Cross River’s status,
the process involves rigorous verification of active, revenue-generating oil assets.

### Key Points of Contention:

 * **Legal Precedent:** The 2002 Supreme Court ruling remains a central factor in
   the state’s historical struggle to reclaim its oil-producing designation.
 * **Administrative Verification:** The RMAFC is the sole body empowered to determine
   which states qualify for the 13 percent derivation fund based on verified production
   data.
 * **Political Rhetoric vs. Policy:** Statements made at political rallies often
   reflect policy aspirations rather than confirmed administrative changes in revenue
   allocation.

## Current Status and Available Information

As of the time of reporting, there has been no official announcement from the RMAFC
or the federal government confirming that Cross River State has been formally reclassified
as an oil-producing state for the purpose of revenue derivation. While the current
administration has engaged in various economic policies, the specific administrative
shift required to restore this status involves complex legal and technical audits
that have not been publicly documented in this context.

## Conclusion

The assertion made by Senator Oshiomhole regarding Cross River State’s oil-producing
status highlights the ongoing political discourse surrounding the state’s economic
standing. However, based on available information, the formal administrative recognition
required to trigger the associated fiscal benefits remains unconfirmed by the relevant
regulatory authorities. Stakeholders and citizens are encouraged to look toward 
official releases from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission
for definitive updates on the state’s revenue-sharing status.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>**Source:** [Premium Times Nigeria](https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/south-south-regional/923072-fact-check-how-true-is-oshiomholes-claim-at-apc-rally-about-cross-rivers-oil-producing-status.html)

  TL;DR (AI Generated)

Senator Adams Oshiomhole recently asserted at an APC rally that Cross River State
has become an oil-producing state under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

However, official recognition and access to the 13 percent derivation fund require
rigorous administrative verification and approval from the Revenue Mobilization 
Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

As of now, there is no official confirmation from federal authorities or the RMAFC
verifying that Cross River State has been formally reclassified following its loss
of status due to the 2002 Supreme Court judgment.

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