By Chidimma Okwara,
A coalition of Ogoni and diaspora organizations has issued a powerful call to the Nigerian government: no oil exploration will resume in Ogoniland without transparency, justice, and the full consent of the community. This demand comes amid renewed efforts by the federal government to re-engage with stakeholders in the oil-rich but environmentally devastated region of Rivers State.
Ogoniland has long been a flashpoint in Nigeria’s oil narrative. Decades of oil extraction by multinational corporations, notably Shell, left the region grappling with severe environmental degradation, health crises, and economic marginalization. The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), founded by the late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, has been at the forefront of resistance against exploitative practices and government neglect.
In a joint statement released on October 14, 2025, the coalition—comprising groups such as the National Union of Ogoni Students International (NUOS INT’L USA), the Center for Democracy, Human Rights and Anti-Corruption (CDHRAC INT’L USA), The Unseen Project, NYCOP Worldwide, and several Ogoni-based environmental organizations—outlined their conditions for any future oil activities in the region.
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Their demands include:
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- Transparency in negotiations and operations
- Justice for past environmental and human rights abuses
- Community consent and participation
- Political autonomy and economic equity
- Strict environmental safeguards and remediation
Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, a former Rivers State Commissioner, echoed the coalition’s stance in a recent interview, stating that oil exploration in Ogoniland is “impossible without justice.” He emphasized that the struggle is not about handouts but about dignity, survival, and fairness.
“Until critical political, economic, and environmental issues are resolved, the people will resist any attempt to restart drilling in their land,” Nwibubasa declared.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has taken steps to revive dialogue through the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, which recently met with over 50 Ogoni leaders. While the coalition commended the president’s attention to longstanding issues like oil theft and environmental degradation, they warned against any unilateral moves to resume oil production.
Tensions remain high. Recent protests disrupted a stakeholders’ meeting in Bori, with some groups alleging exclusion from the dialogue process. MOSOP has also rejected the planned resumption of oil activities, citing a lack of transparency and inclusivity.
The Ogoni coalition’s demands mark a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s energy and environmental policy. As the government seeks to tap into the region’s vast oil reserves, it must first reckon with the legacy of exploitation and the unwavering resolve of a community that demands justice before profit.
