About 20 civil society organisations in the Niger Delta have demanded an immediate suspension of plans to resume oil production in Ogoniland. They insist that environmental remediation must be completed and affected communities must give their consent before any oil activity resumes. The groups also called for a halt to oil and gas operations across the Niger Delta until polluted communities are cleaned up and victims of environmental degradation receive justice.
The demands were made in a communique read by Celestine AkpoBari, Team Lead of Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative, during a media briefing in Port Harcourt. The coalition insisted that the Federal Government must not use military force, intimidation or other coercive measures to impose oil production on Ogoni communities. They also demanded that international oil companies that have divested their assets in the Niger Delta should remain accountable for cleaning up pollution resulting from their operations.
The organisations behind the demands include We The People, Social Action, and Health of Mother Earth Foundation. They called for the creation of an independent Bori State and urged the Federal Government to investigate the alleged disappearance of $300 million reportedly earmarked for Ogoni development. They further demanded that the Federal Government, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and Sahara Energy account for all funds released for the Ogoni dialogue process.
The coalition also demanded that independent observers be allowed to monitor the Ogoni dialogue process to ensure transparency, credibility, and accountability. Some Niger Delta civil society leaders who spoke at the briefing reinforced the call for environmental justice and community participation in decisions concerning oil exploration in the region. They stressed the need for the government to prioritize the concerns of the Ogoni people.
The groups also called for the completion of promised road projects, industrial parks, school renovations, and functional healthcare centres in Ogoniland. They argued that resuming oil production without addressing the environmental, developmental, and justice concerns of the people would further undermine confidence in the process. The organisations insisted that the Federal Government must take concrete steps to address the concerns of the Ogoni people.
Obinna Nwaoku reported the story on November 8, 2026, at 11:23 AM WAT. The civil society groups are pushing for a more inclusive and transparent approach to oil production in Ogoniland. They believe that the Federal Government should prioritize the needs and concerns of the local communities.
The coalition's demands highlight the ongoing challenges faced by communities in the Niger Delta region. The region has been impacted by decades of oil production, resulting in environmental degradation and poverty. The civil society groups are calling for a more sustainable and equitable approach to oil production that prioritizes the needs of local communities.
Key points
- Environmental remediation must be completed before oil production resumes in Ogoniland.
- Affected communities must give their consent before any oil activity resumes.
- International oil companies must remain accountable for cleaning up pollution resulting from their operations.
Reporting sources
- The Guardian · The Guardian
