Bola Tinubu’s alleged lover Olatimbo Ayinde lands lucrative Rivers oil block – Peoples Gazette report claims

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has awarded the Yorla South oil field in Rivers State to Dutchford Exploration and Production Company Limited, co-founded by Olatimbo Ayinde — described as President Bola Tinubu’s paramour and currently facing criminal trial in the United Kingdom for cross-border conspiracy.

Nigeria’s 2025 oil licensing round has produced a winner that is generating far more than industry interest.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission awarded 37 oil and gas blocks to 31 companies at a commercial bid conference in Abuja on Tuesday — and among the successful bidders is Dutchford Exploration and Production Company Limited, co-founded by Olatimbo Ayinde, described by Peoples Gazette as President Bola Tinubu’s paramour.

Dutchford was awarded the Yorla South field — Petroleum Prospecting Licence 2A32 within OML 11 — located in Rivers State. The field was originally discovered in the 1970s by Chevron, then known as Gulf Oil. One hundred and forty-three firms had submitted 200 technical and commercial bids across 37 of the 50 available blocks, with 13 blocks attracting no bids at all.

NUPRC Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan congratulated the winners and thanked President Tinubu for supporting what she described as a “seamless licensing round.” Successful bidders, including Dutchford, must pay signature bonuses, first-year rent, obtain ministerial approval and commence asset development within 90 days or risk forfeiting their awards — all in line with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

The award is not without legal history. Two oil companies — Hi Rev Oil Limited and Hi Rev Exploration and Production Ltd — had previously challenged the allocation of the Yorla South field at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to block its sale or assignment. Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed the suit as incompetent on April 20.

Ayinde’s profile adds significant weight to the story. The British-Nigerian oil businesswoman is currently on trial in the United Kingdom for cross-border criminal conspiracy. Sources within the Tinubu administration told Peoples Gazette that several presidential appointees reportedly go through her to advance policy or financial agendas.

Dutchford operates subsidiaries across Africa, Malaysia, the UK and the UAE through its foreign affiliate ventures.