For championing peace, justice, and empowerment in the Niger Delta through his sacrifices, philanthropy and community development initiatives; for creating jobs, promoting education, healthcare and environmental protection; and for transforming ex-agitators into productive citizens, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) is LEADERSHIP’s Social Impact Person of the Year 2025.
High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has become an icon in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general. Born on April 12, 1971, to the family of Chief Thomas Osen Ekpemupolo and Mrs Ewe Ekpemupolo in Okerenkoko community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West local government area of Delta State, Government Ekpemupolo is an icon of peace, liberation and social justice.
His journey to prominence and social justice, which began in 1996, was one of sacrifice and a quest for freedom for his tribe and the Niger Delta region at large.
Tompolo sold his properties, including a Mercedes V-Boot, three houses and speedboats in Warri, among others, and led a struggle to liberate the Ijaw tribe from the oppression of the Itsekiris after the relocation of the Warri South-West local government council headquarters from Ogbe-Ijoh to Ogidigben by the military junta led by General Sani Abacha. The struggle recorded success after President Olusegun Obasanjo reversed the decision and relocated the council headquarters to Ogbe-Ijoh.
During the Niger Delta struggle for resource control, Tompolo founded the now-defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), where he joined other ex-agitators to pressure the Nigerian government to address the Niger Delta question.
In 2009, Tompolo played a key role in fostering peace in the Niger Delta by accepting the federal government’s amnesty initiative under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. This initiative paved the way for improved dialogue and development in the region.
Today, Tompolo has become a household name that has brought pride and dignity to the Ijaw nation.
This Ijaw icon is also instrumental in increased crude oil output and the security of oil assets and facilities in the Niger Delta region. Through Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSL), in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Tompolo has reduced illegal oil refining, popularly known as “Kpo fire”, an activity that contributed to environmental degradation. He has provided employment for thousands of youths formerly involved in the illegal business, giving them alternative means of livelihood. His efforts have also checked high-sea illegal bunkering and increased Nigeria’s oil revenue through improved crude production under a federal government multi-billion-naira contract.
Beyond these achievements in security and peacekeeping, Tompolo has genuine concern for the betterment of the Ijaw nation. He is not just a social transformer but also an astute entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist who has positively impacted the lives of many youths of the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta region.
Growing up in the creeks, he knew the plight of the Niger Delta child and has continued to make sacrifices to put smiles on the faces of his people and the Ijaw nation. Tompolo, who bears the title of Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation, is committed to promoting education for his people. Though not a product of higher learning himself, the Ijaw icon has, through his Tompolo Education Foundation, provided educational scholarships to many who otherwise could not afford tertiary education. In March this year, the Foundation launched a training programme for Youth Corps members in the Warri zone to enhance their teaching skills.
During the first matriculation ceremony of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, Tompolo donated furniture worth N30 million through the Tompolo Foundation as part of its initiative to boost learning in the Niger Delta region.
Besides education, Tompolo has embarked on several healthcare initiatives to improve the health conditions of his people. In 2012, the Tompolo Foundation renovated the only hospital in Okerenkoko community, Warri South-West local government area, Delta State, with over N20 million.
Recently, the Izon Cultural Heritage Centre (ICHC), a cultural initiative inspired by Tompolo, also launched the Izon Community Service Volunteers (ICSV) to promote peace, wellbeing and development in the Ijaw nation. The scheme was designed to harness the spirit of service and reflect the Ijaw socio-cultural and belief system.
During the 2022 flood, the Tompolo Foundation donated N150 million worth of relief items to victims in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.
These sacrifices have brought recognition and accolades to the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation.
In 2023, the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, conferred an honorary doctorate degree on him in appreciation of his contributions to the university and his peacebuilding efforts in the Niger Delta region.
In 2024, the Ijaw People’s Association (IPA) of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom, bestowed on Tompolo the prestigious lifetime award of “Izon-Ebi Dou Keme” (a leader who wants the progress of the Ijaw nation).
Presenting the certificate of recognition, the president of the association, Francis Akpanari, and the general secretary, Benaebi Oguoko, described Tompolo as a treasure to the Ijaw nation.
Recently, a Facebook user identified as Oyinke Preye Tales, in what was captioned “An Open Letter to High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) from a Creek Child in Gratitude for Your Contribution to the Ijaw Nation”, poured encomiums and gratitude to the philanthropist for his role in transforming the lives of youths in the creeks. Tales wrote:
“Dear High Chief Ekpemupolo Oweizide, I write to you today with deep reverence and gratitude, not just as an individual but as a voice from the creeks—one of the many sons and daughters of the Ijaw Nation who have been deeply touched by your unwavering commitment to our people. Your name is etched into the very fabric of our history—a symbol of strength, resilience and unwavering dedication to the liberation and development of our homeland.
“I was born into the waters of the Niger Delta, raised by the tides of the rivers and the whispering mangroves that have stood witness to both our struggles and our triumphs. In this land where the waves crash against the shores in defiance, where our people have been blessed with abundant natural resources yet cursed with exploitation, your name carries the weight of hope, justice and freedom. You are not just a leader, High Chief; you are a movement, a force of nature, a guardian of the Ijaw people and the Niger Delta.
“For decades, our people have been subjected to neglect, oppression and degradation. The land that sustains us has been exploited beyond measure, our waters polluted by greed, and our communities left in ruin while others grow rich from our resources. In the face of such injustice, many would have given up, resigned to fate—but not you.
“You stood firm when many wavered. You spoke when others were too afraid to raise their voices. You took on the burden of our struggle, bearing it with courage and determination, even at great personal cost. You refused to let the Ijaw people be silenced or forgotten, and for that, we are forever grateful.
“Your journey has not been an easy one. You have faced persecution, betrayal and exile. You have endured being misunderstood and misrepresented by those who do not grasp the depth of your mission. Yet, despite all challenges, you have never abandoned your people. You have remained steadfast in your commitment to justice, equity, and the right of the Ijaw Nation to determine its own destiny.
“From the early days of armed resistance, when the world ignored our cries for justice, to your current role as a peacemaker and bridge between the people and the government, your transformation has been remarkable. You have shown that true leadership is not about wielding power for personal gain but about ensuring that the people you serve live with dignity.
“Through your efforts, the Niger Delta struggle has evolved. It is no longer just about agitation; it is about negotiation, empowerment and development. You have demonstrated that the Ijaw people are not mere agitators but intelligent, resourceful individuals who deserve to sit at the table where decisions about their future are made. Without your sacrifices, many of the gains we enjoy today would not have been possible.
“Your influence has brought about significant positive change. The Amnesty Programme, which has provided many of our young people with opportunities for education and skills acquisition, bears your mark. The pipeline surveillance contracts that have provided employment and security for our communities would not have materialised without your intervention. The increased attention to Niger Delta development, though still not enough, exists in part because of your persistence and commitment.
“But beyond the political and economic aspects of your contributions, there is something even more profound—your role as a father to the Ijaw youth. Many who were once lost, without guidance or purpose, have found direction under your leadership. You have shown them that they are not just rebels but warriors of justice, not just victims but architects of their own future.
“Your philanthropic gestures have touched many lives, often without publicity or fanfare. You have built schools where there were none, provided scholarships for those who had no means of furthering their education, and supported businesses that have given people a means of livelihood. These are the marks of a true leader—not just one who commands but one who uplifts.
“Our communities, once neglected and forgotten, are beginning to experience growth because of your influence. Roads are being constructed, economic opportunities are emerging, and, for the first time in a long while, many of our people can dream of a better future. You have reminded us that we, the Ijaw people, are not second-class citizens in our own country but rightful owners of the land and waters that sustain the nation’s economy.
“Yet, despite all that you have achieved, we know the journey is far from over. There are still forces that seek to undermine our progress. But we take solace in the fact that we have a leader like you—unyielding in the face of adversity, selfless and dedicated to his people.
“High Chief Tompolo, history will forever remember your sacrifices and contributions. Generations to come will learn of your name, not just in whispered stories but in the transformation you have brought to our land. They will see your impact in the opportunities they have, in the peace they enjoy, and in the dignity they carry as sons and daughters of the Ijaw Nation.
“As a child of the creeks, I honour you. I acknowledge your sacrifices, celebrate your victories, and stand ready to continue the work you have started. Because of you, I walk with my head held high, knowing that the struggle for justice, equity and development is not in vain. Because of you, I believe that a better future for the Ijaw Nation is not just a dream but an inevitability.
“May the ancestors bless you with long life, wisdom, and continued strength. May your legacy remain unshaken, and may the Ijaw Nation always uphold the values you have fought so tirelessly for.”
Tompolo is married to Victoria Government Ekpemupolo, and they have a daughter, Mary Ekpemupolo.
Despite his public engagements, Tompolo maintains a private family life in Delta State.
He remains a symbol of peace, unity, sustainable ecosystem and unwavering commitment to environmental and economic justice.
