Oloibiri

Oloibiri is a historic village in Bayelsa State, the site where oil was first discovered in commercial quantities in Nigeria in 1956 by Shell D'Arcy. This single discovery transformed Nigeria into an oil-dependent economy and reshaped the country's politics, economy, and environment. A museum and monument at the site commemorate this pivotal event.

The village is a small Ijaw settlement in the Niger Delta creeks. The dry season (November–March) is the best time to visit.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Port Harcourt International Airport (PHC), about 1.5 hrs by road.

By Train

No passenger rail service.

By Car / Road

Oloibiri is near Ogbia, about 1 hr from Yenagoa. The last part of the journey is on unpaved roads.

Motorcycle taxis.

• Oloibiri Oil Well No. 1 — the first oil well in Nigeria, now a museum and monument

• Oloibiri Museum — artefacts and exhibits on the history of oil in Nigeria

• Visit the Oloibiri Oil Well — see the historic wellhead and learn about Nigeria's oil story

• Explore the Oloibiri Museum — a small but important museum

Local Ijaw food at small bukas.

Water and soft drinks.

No accommodation in the village. Stay in Yenagoa or Ogbia.

Local crafts and souvenirs from the museum.

• Ogbia — 15 mins north
• Yenagoa — 1 hr north-west
• Port Harcourt — 1.5 hrs east