The Niger Delta, despite being Nigeria’s economic backbone, remains plagued by environmental and economic crises. The exit of multinational oil firms and the takeover by indigenous operators have worsened pollution, poverty, and neglect. Weak regulations and corruption leave host communities vulnerable, as abandoned oil wells continue to destroy livelihoods. IBRAHIM ADAM highlights these urgent issues, calling for strict enforcement of environmental laws and corporate accountability to prevent further suffering.
The Niger Delta, Nigeria’s oil hub, faces severe environmental and economic crises due to corporate neglect.
A new report by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), titled: Marginal Fields’ Awards, Regulators’ Independence, and Environmental Injustice: Paradox of Beneficial Ownership and the Host Communities, highlights the devastating effects of oil field divestment, decommissioning and abandonment by multinational companies, leaving host communities in distress.
For decades, the region has fueled the country’s oil revenue. Yet it remains impoverished. When international oil firms exited, local companies took over. But instead of improvements, environmental degradation, economic hardship, and regulatory failures worsened. Abandoned infrastructure and unremediated spills continue to harm farmlands and livelihoods.
In January 2024, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) announced the sale of its onshore subsidiary to Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited for $1.3 billion. Local communities and civil groups raised concerns that Shell might leave without addressing its environmental damage.
Despite protests, the Federal Government approved the sale in December 2024, marking the end of Shell’s century-long onshore operations. ExxonMobil and Equinor have also divested from Nigeria’s oil fields, citing oil theft and environmental risks.
To prevent further harm, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 mandates responsible decommissioning and the establishment of an Abandonment Fund to restore oil sites. Also, the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) fund requires oil firms to contribute 3% of their annual expenditure to support affected communities.
Despite these policies, many residents complain that they have yet to receive any benefits, deepening their frustration over continued neglect.
Abandonment of oil facilities
Stakeholders have raised concerns over the failure of International Oil Companies (IOCs) to properly decommission abandoned oil facilities, particularly in Oloibiri, where Shell first discovered oil in 1956.
A stakeholder who simply gave his name as Morris, lamented that some wells still leak crude oil, and no formal cleanup has taken place, leaving communities exposed to environmental harm. “The site has remained neglected since the 1970s, with some wells still leaking crude oil.”
He criticised regulatory bodies like National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Ministries of Environment for failing to enforce environmental standards: “The oil companies provide vehicles, boats, and even accommodation for regulators, which affects their impartiality,” he said.
Morris said the communities are agitated, urging the government to intervene.
He said during the protests in Port Harcourt and Yenagoa, the representatives of the communities demanded accountability, environmental audits, cleanup, and compensation before IOCs divest from onshore operations.
Morris also called for the extension of the Ogoniland cleanup to other polluted areas like Bayelsa State, which NOSDRA identifies as one of the most affected regions. “Entire lakes and swamps are covered in crude oil, depriving our people of their livelihoods,” he lamented.
Morris explained that the health impact in the Niger Delta is severe, with life expectancy lower than the national average, pointing out that it led to rise in cancer cases and other diseases.
“We have about a 10% difference in life expectancy. All the mangrove routes where we normally find oysters have been wiped out because of crude oil spills.”
Another stakeholder, Obodoekwe, echoed these concerns, lamenting that aging infrastructure continues to leak oil despite UNEP’s recommendations for proper decommissioning. “Without decommissioning, old and corroded pipelines continue to leak oil, causing ongoing environmental damage,” he said.
He also criticised the inefficacy of regulatory agencies, saying: “If these agencies were truly doing their jobs, this level of environmental degradation would not persist.”
Human cost of oil exploitation
Across the Niger Delta, communities face destruction, neglect, and growing anger. Years of oil exploration have left land and waters unusable, crippling livelihoods dependent on fishing and farming.
A fisherman from Akwa Ibom State, Pa. Timothy Ufot, lamented: “The water is dead. We can no longer fish. Crude oil spills kill everything. Our nets come out black, and the fish are poisoned.”
He added that women and children suffer most, as contaminated farmlands force many into menial jobs or migration.
A trader from Delta State, Patience Ogidi, said: “We have been abandoned. The oil companies have taken everything and given us nothing but suffering.”
In Rivers State, Chief Omubo Lawson warned: “Our youths are unemployed, our rivers polluted, and our lands barren. If nothing is done, unrest will follow.”
An activist, Dr. Ebikebina Jombo, lamented that Bayelsa State, a hotspot for oil-related conflicts, is affected by rising pipeline vandalism. “People are frustrated. They see abandoned pipelines as a means to survive, but it only worsens their suffering.”
Call for climate justice
Community leaders and activists are demanding greater accountability from Shell, HYPREP, and the governments, as vast areas of Ogoni land remain untouched by cleanup efforts. Residents continue to face severe environmental and health crises.
A farmer and community leader, Mrs. Kabari Barilelu Patricia, lamented: “Crops don’t yield well because of pollution. Farming has become nearly impossible on contaminated land.”
She also criticised HYPREP for failing to provide clean drinking water, saying: “They promised us clean water, but we are still drinking from polluted streams.”
Melody Gold Barry-Yobo of Kono community who spoke on their health conditions said: “Shell has turned Ogoni people into environmental refugees. Cancer, respiratory illnesses, and other diseases are common here. Yet, Shell has done nothing to compensate or support us.”
Bayelsa community ongoing struggles
Residents of Ayamasa in Bayelsa’s Ekeremor Local Government Area face recurring health crises like diarrhea, scabies and other illnesses whenever oil spills from the Tsuomo-Ogboinbiri Gas Delivery Pipeline. Despite Ayamasa’s oil wealth, the community remains impoverished.
A community leader, Apeikums Aleibiri, said: “When the breeze blows from the gas station, it brings an unbearable odor that makes people sick.”
He lamented that frequent spills, often caused by vandalism, have devastated farmlands, polluted fishing ponds, and worsened hunger, as well as air pollution from gas leaks has also triggered severe itching and skin infections, affecting nearly everyone in the community: “Some areas of our water have no fish. The swamp is lifeless,” Aleibiri added.
He also said the pipeline, initially managed by Agip before Oando Plc’s takeover in September 2024, has worsened climate conditions. “The sun is hotter, floods are worse. We no longer know the difference between dry and rainy seasons.”
According to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the latest spill on May 3, 2024, was caused by vandals hacking 133mm of the 6” pipeline. Aleibiri accused oil firms of profiting from such destruction: “They send people to vandalize pipelines, then make millions from repairs.”
Government security efforts, including TANTITA security, have provided little relief: “They employed some of our boys to guard the pipelines, but out of 100 needed positions, our community only got 14 slots,” he fumed.
Alebiri added that a sit-at-home initiative for the elderly provided ₦100,000 for men and ₦50,000 for women, but residents say it is not enough.
Emu Obedeti’s environmental struggles
Like Ayamasa Community in Bayelsa State, Emu Obedeti, a community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, is grappling with the devastating effects of oil spills and the activities of oil companies. Residents lament the destruction of farmlands, acute hunger, and the outbreak of diseases caused by these environmental hazards.
Emu Obedeti neighbours hosted the 12″ MWOG/UPIL Pipeline Facility operated by Midwestern Oil & Gas Corporation. The pipeline runs through Emu Obedeti, making it a co-host and benefiting community. Additionally, Energia Limited operates an oil well in Emu Obedeti, with community members claiming that Energia, Midwestern Oil & Gas Corporation, and Pillar Oil Limited jointly manage the pipeline facility.
On June 23, 2024, NOSDRA reported an oil spill in Emu Ebendo, attributed to an illegal attachment of a 2″ Ball Valve with a galvanised pipe extension at the 12″ MWOG/UPIL Pipeline Facility.
Community Development Council (CDC) chairman, Sunday Enuzo, denied reports of a June 23, 2024 oil spill in neighboring Emu Ebendo, despite findings from the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
“There has never been an oil spill in this community before or since I became chairman,” he said.
When confronted with NOSDRA’s report, he added: “I don’t know how they got this report. But if a spill had occurred, I would have reported it to the proper authorities.”
A resident, Gilbert, disputed Enuzo’s claim: “The CDC chairman is lying. I saw a tanker parked at the spill site, pumping oil under military guard. If I had stopped, they would have forced me to stay.”
He alleged that such illegal activities often involve security forces and top community leaders.
The CDC Secretary, Rudolf Idu confirmed no spills in 2024. But he admitted to a November 2023 incident. “Oil companies cleaned up, but affected farmers received no compensation.”
A CDC member, Nelson Obuwe, lamented the destruction; “We lost everything, and no one paid us.”
Akwa Ibom communities cry for help
Okoroitak, Iwuosha, and Iwuopom communities in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State continue to suffer the devastating impact of oil exploration.
Despite hosting multinational oil companies, residents lack electricity, clean water, healthcare, and proper infrastructure. Also, recurrent oil spills have contaminated rivers, destroyed farmlands, and disrupted livelihoods, leaving the people in poverty while oil firms profit from their land.
Youth President of Okoroitak, Comrade Okon, condemned Network Exploration Company’s failure to provide basic amenities.
“Since the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was implemented, we’ve seen no benefits. Where is the money going?” he queried.
The youth leader said that he has received threats for speaking out.
Youth President of Iwuosha, Joseph Jonah, lamented the destruction caused by oil spills, and blaming ExxonMobil, Coin Oil, and Network Exploration for worsening pollution.
“Fishing is gone, our nets are ruined, and farms are abandoned. Every dry season, they promise change, but nothing happens,” he said.
Iwuopom Women Leader, Abigail Edideom, decried the lack of healthcare, saying: “Many women have died in childbirth because there’s no clinic. I am caring for a little girl who lost her mother this way.”
A businessman in Iwuopom, Chidiebere, said oil spills have crippled businesses: “The August-September spill wiped out seafood, forcing fishermen to stop working.”
