A coalition of local and International Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for an immediate and comprehensive halt to all divestment requests from International Oil Corporations in the Niger Delta including Shell, Total, ENI and other IOCs with similar plans, until significant environmental and social liabilities associated with operations in the Niger Delta are adequately addressed.
The formation group further charged President Tinubu to sustain the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) rejection of Shell’s request to sell its remaining shares in the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to the Renaissance consortium. The call is also urged to be extended to other international oil corporations including TotalEnergies who are also attempting to sell their stakes in SPDC and other Nigerian onshore oil assets.
The pivotal and urgency demand were made in a statement jointly signed by 120 representative of CSOs across the world including 12 Diaries – Diaspora Climate Platform (Belgium), 350Hawaii (USA), AbibiNsroma Foundation (Ghana), Activists for climate Justice Initiative Uganda (Uganda), ADDEA, African Center for Climate, Energy and Sustainable Development (Burkina Faso), African Initiative on Food Security and Environment (Uganda), Aksil for gender, social and ecological justice (Indonesia), Alabama Interfaith Power & Light (USA), Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Amnesty International Nigeria (Nigeria),
Animals Are Sentient Beings, Inc (USA), Bank Climate Advocates (USA), Better Path Coalition, Biowatch South Africa (South Africa), Blackfins (Germany), Blue Planet Project (International), Both ENDS (Netherlands), Breathe Easy Susquehanna County (USA), Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Mgt (CECIC) Uganda, Centre for Social Change (South Africa), Christian Aid Ireland (Ireland),
Citizens Advocacy Centre (Nigeria), Climate Action for Lifelong Learners (Canada), Climate Action Network (CAN) Zambia, Climate Reality Lehigh Valley PA Chapter (USA), Coalition to Protect New York (USA), Committee for Peace arid Development Advocacy, COPDA (Liberia), COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peacebuilding (Nigeria), Concerned Health Professionals of Pennsylvania (USA), Corner House (United Kingdom), Corporate Accountability Lab (USA), Daraja Press (Canada ), Davos Worldwide (USA), Diálogo 2000-Jubileo Sur Argentina (Argentina), Earth Action, Inc. (USA), Earthlite Africa (South Africa), Earthlife Africa Durban (South Africa) East African Crude Oil Pipeline Host Communities (Uganda).
EG Justice (Equatorial Guinea), EKOenergy ecolabel (Finland/Global), Environment and Language Education Trust (ELET) (South Africa), Equal Right (United Kingdom), ESJI Namibia (Namibia), Focus Association for Sustainable Development (Slovenia), Fossielvrij NL (Netherlands), Foundation for the Conservation of the Earth FOGONE (Nigeria), Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice (Illinois) (USA), Friends of the Earth Canada (Canada), Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN) (Argentina), Global Justice Ecology Project, Greenfire Coaltion Writers’ Forum (USA), Guyana Oiland Gas Change (Guyana), Hawkmoth, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (Nigeria), IGSE (South Africa), INF (Nigeria), Innovation pour le Développement et la Protection de l’Environneme (Democratic Republic of Congo), Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation (Nigeria), International Analog Forestry Network (Costa Rica), International Rights Advocates, Law, Development and Conflict Research Group (United Kingdom, Lawyers Are Responsible (United Kingdom),
Leave it in the Ground Initiative LINGO (Germany), Legislative Media and Citizens Advocacy Initiative LeMCA (Nigeria), MARBE SA, (Costa Rica), Mazingira Network Tanzania (MANET), Milieudefensie (Netherlands), Misère Option Zéro (MOZ), Mothers Rise Up (United Kingdom), Move Past Plastic MPP (USA), New Energy Economy (USA), NGO Echo (Kazakhstan), No Business With Genocide (USA), No False Climate Solutions PA (USA), Notre Affaire A lous (France), Nuclear Information and Resource Service (USA), Oil & Gas Governance Network(USA), Oil Change International, Ombudsman Energía México (Mexico), ONG ACOMB (Togo).
Our sacred earth, Oyu Tolgoi Watch (Mongolia), Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (Pakistan), Peace Point Development Foundation-PPDF (Nigeria), Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW!, Publish What You Pay (United Kingdom), Quest I or Growth and Development Foundation, R Anthony and Co. (Nigeria), Rapid Transition Alliance (United Kingdom), Razom We Stand (Ukraine), ReCommon (Italy), Red Thread Women’s Organiztion (Guyana), Rettel den Regenwald (Germany), Rights and Accountability in Development RAID (United Kingdom),
Rivers without Boundanes (Mongolia), Social Action Nigeria (Nigeria), SOMO (Netherlands), South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (South Africa), Sustainable Holistic Development Foundation SUHODE (Tanzania), The Freedom Fund (United Kingdom), The Future We need, The Lebanese Oil and Gas Initiative (Lebanon), The People’s Justice Council (USA), Transnational Institute (Netherlands), Transparency International Ireland (Ireland), Unite North Metro Denver (USA), Uplift (United Kingdom), Urgewald (Germany), Vessel Project of Louisiana (USA), Vote Climate (USA), Weka Afri Sustainable Biodiversity and Food Security Foundation (Uganda), Widows for Peace through Democracy (United Kingdom), Youth for Green Communities YGC (Uganda), Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC Nigeria), Zukunftsrat Hamburg (Germany).
According to the coalition, any approval of Shell and Total’s requests would weaken Nigeria’s regulatory independence, ignore the interests of the Niger Delta communities, jeopardize the environmental and social well-being of the region for generations to come, and undermine Nigeria’s including sovereignty.
The statement reads in part, “It is critical to emphasize that the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the NUPRC’s responsibility to uphold this law were clearly outlined when Shell’s divestment request was initially rejected. NUPRC’s refusal was based on legitimate concerns, including Shell’s failure to adequately address the significant environmental and social liabilities associated with its operations in the Niger Delta, as was independently assessed and recommended by international assessors contracted by the country.”.
“We ask Mr. President to ensure that the immediate financial interests of a few multinational corporations and local profiteers do not outweigh the health, future, and survival of millions of Nigerians who have suffered for decades. President Tinubu must safeguard the future of Nigeria, ensuring that all its people, especially those in the Niger Delta, are not sacrificed for the benefit of global capital and a few local profiteers.”
“We want to make it absolutely clear: approving Shell’s or TotalEnergies’ divestment in its current form without addressing the profound environmental and social costs would be a grave injustice to the people of the Niger Delta and could lead to significant unrest in the region. It would be an affront to the generations of Niger Deltans who have fought and died for environmental justice, their homes, and their livelihoods.”
“Approving Shell’s SPDC share sale would send a dangerous message to all multinational corporations operating in Nigeria that they can extract our resources, leave devastation behind, and walk away without consequence. This is not just a question of corporate accountability; it is about Nigeria’s sovereignty, dignity, and the right of its people to live in a clean and safe environment.”
“We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action to protect the environment, the people of the Niger Delta, and Nigeria’s sovereignty by addressing key issues surrounding the divestment of assets by international oil companies (IOCs). Specifically, we call for an immediate suspension of all divestment processes until a transparent, inclusive, and comprehensive review is conducted, addressing the historical environmental and social liabilities of Shell and TotalEnergies.”
Other demands include Meaningful and transparent consultations with state governments and communities in the Niger Delta where oil and gas extraction occur, ensuring their input is prioritized before any further divestment decisions are made. Accountability measures for Shell, TotalEnergies, and other IOCs, compelling them to take full responsibility for the environmental damage they have caused. This includes funding a thorough cleanup and remediation program across the Niger Delta.
The protection of the independence of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to allow it to perform its statutory responsibilities without undue political interference. Adherence to the National Assembly’s resolution, which calls for an immediate halt to all divestments by IOCs in Nigeria. Rigorous vetting of new operators to ensure they are committed to responsible environmental practices and the welfare of local communities.
The establishment of a robust Environmental Restoration Fund, sufficiently financed through contributions from Shell, TotalEnergies, other IOCs, and future operators, based on credible estimates from independent international experts. This fund should address the long-term environmental degradation in the Niger Delta.
Inclusion of community profit-sharing mechanisms in any divestment agreements, ensuring host communities benefit from the oil resources they have supported for decades. Mandatory public disclosure of all environmental liabilities by Shell, TotalEnergies, and future operators before divestment, with a requirement to address and remediate the identified damages.
The incorporation of clear gas flaring cessation and decommissioning plans in divestment agreements, with specific timelines to end harmful practices. Consideration of the carbon emissions related to the divested assets, accompanied by mitigation plans aligned with Nigeria’s climate commitments.
Meanwhile, the coalition further implore President Tinubu to demonstrate leadership by standing with the people of the Niger Delta and championing justice, fairness, and environmental protection. By halting the divestment processes of Shell, TotalEnergies, and other IOCs, and demanding accountability for the harm caused, noting that President Tinubu can assert Nigeria’s sovereignty and prioritize the well-being of its citizens.