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 HEDA Unveils Landmark Report on Petroleum Environmental Governance in Nigeria

– CSO Charges FG on deliberate sequencing and sustained political will to drive reforms The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has unveiled a new comprehensive report on petroleum environmental governance in Nigeria, providing a detailed roadmap for legal, policy, and institutional reforms in the country’s oil and gas sector. Released with support from the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), the report titled “Nigeria’s Petroleum-Environmental Governance: Law, Policy, and Reform Roadmap”, comes four years after the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. It notes that despite the law’s promises of stronger governance, improved environmental protection, enhanced community development, and greater transparency, implementation has fallen short. Challenges such as weak enforcement, overlapping institutional mandates, poor compliance culture, and low community awareness continue to undermine the Act’s impact. HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, said the report was developed to address the persistent gap between Nigeria’s extensive legal frameworks and the realities in oil-producing communities. “The continuing issues around oil spill response, gas flaring, decommissioning obligations, host community development, and beneficial ownership transparency show that regulators, operators, communities, and civil society actors still lack the tools needed to drive accountability,” he said. To address these gaps, HEDA Resource Centre with the collaboration of Environmental Law Research Institute (ELRI) developed a Stakeholder Accountability Tool and a Simplified Policy Brief. These tools outline statutory obligations under the PIA and other environmental laws, highlight key lapses in implementation, and provide practical guidance to empower communities, civil society, media, and regulators to demand compliance and promote environmental stewardship. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of Nigeria’s petroleum environmental governance landscape, examining legal frameworks, institutional structures, and operational mechanisms meant to ensure environmental prevention, mitigation, remediation, and accountability. It draws on doctrinal research, comparative benchmarking, and stakeholder feedback generated through surveys and interviews. According to the report findings, Nigeria already possesses the foundational elements of a world-class governance system. However, these elements remain fragmented. The study further calls for clearer institutional mandates, stronger enforcement mechanisms, recalibrated penalties, better management of environmental liabilities during divestment and decommissioning, and real-time public access to petroleum-environment data, including emissions, spills, remediation progress, and host community development funding. It also recommended modernizing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regime to reflect climate realities and integrating host communities and credible civil society actors as active partners in monitoring the sector. Speaking on next steps, Suraju emphasized the need for “deliberate sequencing and sustained political will” to drive reforms. He highlighted priorities such as legislative updates, institutional integration, financial assurance systems, community oversight, capacity strengthening, and improved judicial and administrative efficiency. “With discipline, transparency, and collaboration, Nigeria can evolve from an extractive state to a responsible energy steward one that places environmental governance at the heart of sustainable prosperity,” he said. The publication reinforces HEDA’s longstanding commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and justice in Nigeria’s extractive sector. The organisation said it will continue advocating to ensure that the PIA and related governance frameworks translate into tangible benefits for citizens and frontline communities.

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fayose-obasanjo CategoriesAnti-corruption HEDA News

HEDA Petitions EFCC Over Alleged Money Laundering Involving Fayose, Obasanjo

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding a full investigation into an alleged money-laundering transaction involving former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In the petition signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, the civil society organization referenced a report by The Nigeria Lawyer on 25 November 2025, which stated that Mr. Fayose admitted to giving former President Obasanjo $20,000 cash as “travel logistics” for attending his 65th birthday celebration in Lagos. The organisation noted that former President Obasanjo also publicly confirmed returning the money in cash. Meanwhile, HEDA maintained that the exchange constitutes a breach of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which limits cash transactions to ₦5 million for individuals and mandates that higher sums be conducted through financial institutions. The group noted that Section 19 of the Act prescribes penalties for violations. According to Suraju, the statements credited to both men amount to an admission of a financial transaction carried out in cash well beyond the legal threshold, therefore the development requires immediate and diligent investigation and prosecution. The civil group further urged the anti-graft agency to act swiftly, warning that failure to address the incident could undermine ongoing efforts to curb money laundering and de-dollarise the Nigerian economy. HEDA cited the recent conviction of Mr. Precious Uzondu for conducting business in foreign currency as an example of the Commission’s renewed enforcement drive. HEDA reiterated its commitment to accountability and called on the EFCC to demonstrate independence and uphold the rule of law by treating the allegation with the seriousness it deserves.

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International anti-corruption day CategoriesAnti-corruption HEDA News

 International Anti-Corruption Day: Embrace integrity, HEDA urges youth

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) on Tuesday unveiled the ninth edition of its Compendium of 100 High-Profile Corruption Cases in Nigeria 2025, marking International Anti-Corruption Day with a renewed call for youth participation in building a transparent and accountable nation. Speaking at the event held at Shoregate Hotel, Ikeja GRA, HEDA Executive Secretary, Mr. Sulaimon Arigbabu, welcomed representatives from civil society, government agencies, media and youth organisations, saying their presence reflected a shared commitment to exposing graft and demanding accountability. He said this year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” resonates with Nigeria because youths remain the country’s largest demographic and greatest resource for transformative leadership. Arigbabu stressed that corruption weakens institutions, frustrates development and denies citizens especially the vulnerable access to justice and basic services. He said the 2025 Compendium captures concluded and ongoing cases, asset forfeitures, judicial delays, political interference and landmark interventions, while also profiling corruption cases across Africa. Arigbabu urged media professionals, civil society groups and young Nigerians to use the publication for research, advocacy, enlightenment and reform. In a goodwill message, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young Nigerians to become frontline advocates against corruption. Representing the Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu (SAN), Mrs. Mary Omonoyan described the theme as strategically relevant, noting that youths are not only future leaders but present-day influencers. She highlighted youth-focused programmes of the Commission such as essay competitions, NYSC sensitisation, anti-corruption clubs in secondary schools and student vanguards in tertiary institutions. She said these initiatives help thousands of young Nigerians internalise ethics and accountability, while series such as ICPC’s Integrity Lectures and Youth Dialogues encourage constructive engagement and behaviour change. Former Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, Mr. Muhyi Magaji, delivered the keynote address, urging youths to embrace honesty, fairness, courage, and responsibility. Sharing his experiences of intimidation and arrest during his anti-graft efforts, he said his work included blocking transactions totalling over N700 million involving the Kano Agricultural Supply Company and seizing assets allegedly diverted. He insisted that Nigeria’s future stability depends on strengthening institutions rather than weakening them for political convenience. According to him, corruption lies at the heart of governance failures affecting unemployment, healthcare and public services. He urged youths to reject corruption as a survival model and reminded them that “integrity pays, no matter what happens.” Reviewing the Compendium, social critic Mr. Adeola Soetan said although the book is “beautiful in concept, vision and purpose,” it reveals “the beauty of an ugly compact,” exposing how deeply corruption has infiltrated public systems. Soetan observed that corruption cuts across ethnic, religious and professional lines, uniting Nigerians in ways ethnicity and religion fail to do. He noted widespread complicity, involving doctors, lawyers, accountants, media practitioners and even self-acclaimed activists. Soetan criticised judicial delays, particularly when judges are elevated or transferred after presiding over cases for years, forcing trials to restart and diminishing public interest. He urged media organisations to follow corruption cases beyond arraignment and insisted that anger alone cannot solve the problem unless citizens act responsibly. The National Orientation Agency, represented by Mrs. Zandra Eguavoen, praised HEDA’s commitment to accountability and transparency, describing the event as a powerful civic engagement that advances ethical conduct across public and private sectors. The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, represented by Mrs. Oluwakemi Peter, commended HEDA for creating an indispensable reference tool that aids understanding of the magnitude of corruption in Nigeria. She said corruption undermines consumer rights, economic growth and public trust, and called for collective responsibility in addressing it. A youth panel rounded off the event with reflections on why young people must champion Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts. A representative of the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Froum Ikeja branch,  Chinwe Anyanwu, said youths must be guided by strong values and encouraged by role models in authority. Chairman of the National Youth Council, Lagos State Chapter, Engr. Adigun Olalekan, emphasised the need for intentional youth involvement in national policies and outlined the Council’s transparency initiatives, including public presentation of audited accounts. Lagos State University law student, Abdullahi Adesina, said education remains the strongest tool for instilling integrity, while University of Lagos law student, Peter Ajuri, reminded youths that corruption starts in everyday behaviour and honesty is required not merely for society’s benefit but as a fundamental moral obligation. The gathering ended with a shared call for a renewed culture of accountability, with participants affirming that Nigeria can only rise if integrity becomes a celebrated national value rather than a risky exception.

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HEDA's Executive Secretary Sulaimon Arigbabu CategoriesAnti-corruption HEDA News

Corruption not merely a financial crime but a development crisis – HEDA

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) Executive Secretary Sulaimon Arigbabu, has said the unveiling of the ninth edition of the compendium reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and civic engagement. Arigbabu described corruption as “not merely a financial crime but a development crisis” that erodes public trust and deprives citizens of essential services. He encouraged youths, lawyers, media professionals, and civil society actors to use the compendium as a tool for advocacy, research, and public enlightenment. Similarly, speaking on the broader context of corruption, Adeola Soetan, a public affairs analyst, described Nigeria’s corruption landscape as “both beautiful and awkward” during the compendium presentation. He cited high-profile cases, including embezzlement by public officials and business leaders, and underscored systemic issues such as judicial delays, political interference, and technical legal manoeuvres that allow perpetrators to evade accountability. He praised whistleblowers, civil society, and anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC for their roles in exposing malpractices. Representatives of key institutions also delivered goodwill messages. Nita Chikura, representing ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged stronger youth involvement, citing programmes such as Anti-Corruption Clubs in schools and Student Anti-Corruption Vanguards in tertiary institutions. Zandra Eguavoen of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) highlighted the role of youths in national value renewal and civic responsibility, while Oluwakemi Peters of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) called for collective action across sectors to combat corruption and protect consumer rights. Mary Omonoyan of ICPC further encouraged youths to adopt innovative approaches, using digital platforms and tech initiatives to expose corrupt acts, promote accountability, and foster social responsibility. She also warned against prioritising material wealth over civic and moral obligations, urging parents and communities to instil ethical values in children from an early age. Concluding the event, stakeholders agreed that corruption can only be effectively tackled through collective engagement, ethical leadership, and practical initiatives. They reaffirmed the centrality of Nigerian youths in driving a culture of integrity and shaping a corruption-free future.

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CategoriesAnti-corruption HEDA News

‘Integrity Pays, No matter how long’ – Ex- Kano Anti-Corruption Chairman, Muhyi Magaji Charges Youths

In his keynote address at the unveiling of the 9th edition of 100 High-Profile corruption cases in Nigeria by HEDA Resource Centre, former Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Muhyi Magaji urged Nigerian youths to champion integrity in the fight against corruption. Speaking on the theme, “Youth as Catalysts of Integrity: Building a Corruption-Free Future for Nigeria,” Mr. Magaji said high unemployment and limited opportunities often encourage tolerance for corrupt practices. He encouraged youths to embrace honesty, fairness, and civic responsibility and use education and social media to strengthen transparency. “Integrity pays. No matter what. No matter how long,” Mr. Magaji said, calling for active youth participation in national development and anti-corruption efforts. The event drew civil society leaders, government representatives, legal practitioners, media professionals, and youth advocates. A panel of youth leaders and law students echoed this message, emphasising the critical role of young Nigerians in shaping the country’s future leadership. Moderated by Mayowa Shobo of HEDA, the panel featured Anyawu Chinwe of the Lagos State Young Lawyers Association, Adigun Olalekan of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Lagos Chapter, and law students Abdullahi Adesina and Ajiri Peter from the Lagos State University and the University of Lagos, respectively. The panel highlighted that youths, who constitute 60 to 65 per cent of Nigeria’s population, are uniquely positioned to influence governance and serve as advocates for transparency. Ms. Anyawu stressed the importance of positive role models, saying, “If they are involved in politics from now, they are going to be in front of the leaders in the future.” Similarly, Mr. Adesina emphasised ethics education as a means to guide youths toward corruption-free leadership, while Mr. Peter pointed out that corruption exists in everyday actions, including favouritism, queue-jumping, and abuse of office. The panellists also linked economic empowerment to anti-corruption efforts, noting that unemployment and financial hardship often push youths into unethical survival strategies. Ms. Anyawu advised young people to define personal boundaries and rely on moral guidance from family and religious institutions. Mr. Olalekan encouraged youth training and skills development initiatives as platforms for self-reliance.

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CategoriesHEDA News

HEDA Urges Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo to Probe Fraudulent Nigerian Documents Exposed in UK Court Case Involving Chief Mike Ozekhome

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to launch an urgent and transparent investigation into the fraudulent procurement of Nigerian national documents exposed in a recent judgment by the United Kingdom’s First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). The case, Tali Shani v Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome ([2025] UKFTT 1090 (PC)), delivered on September 11, 2025, revealed shocking details of fraud and forgery. The UK court found that the claimant, “Ms. Tali Shani,” was a non-existent person, and that the case was built on deceit using forged Nigerian documents including a National Identification Number (NIN), Death Certificate, and an ECOWAS Travel Certificate (passport) by certain persons representing Ms Tali Shani with Mohammed Edewor, a legal practitioner identified as the known Nigerian facilitator In similar vein, a fake Mr. Tali Shani was presented to the court by Chief Ozekhone and his son, supported by fraudulently procured Nigerian Passport and National Identification Number through the Nigerian immigration Servixe and National Identity Management Commissin under your ministry. According to the court, these documents were central to an elaborate attempt to mislead the court and illegally claim ownership of a property. The revelation, HEDA said, exposes deep cracks in Nigeria’s identity and documentation systems, with grave implications for national security and global reputation. In a petition signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA expressed outrage that such fraudulent documents could be procured and presented to a foreign court. “This case raises serious questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s national identification and passport systems. When forged documents can be used so easily to commit international fraud, it undermines our institutions and endangers national security,” Suraju said. HEDA is calling for a full-scale investigation into how the fictitious “Ms. Tali Shani” and “Mr. Tali Shani” obtained these documents, as well as the roles played by individuals, officials, and any legal or private entities, including the law firms of Chief Mike Ozekhome and Edewor Solicitors. The civil society organization also demanded that the Ministry should uncover all those involved in producing or facilitating the fraudulently obtained documents; enforce strict penalties against the culprits; strengthen systems to prevent the future issuance of national documents to fictitious persons; and make the findings of the investigation public to restore confidence in Nigeria’s documentation regime. “As a country, we cannot afford to overlook such a scandal. The ease with which fraudulent NIN and passport documents were issued calls for immediate reforms in our identity management processes. Accountability must be enforced to protect Nigeria’s image and safeguard our institutions from criminal manipulation,” Suraju emphasized.

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CategoriesHEDA News

The Collapse of TotalEnergies Sale to Chappal Energies raises concerns over President Tinubu’s decision to override NUPRC advice

– Shell-Renaissance divestment deal must be reviewed According to recent Nigerian media reports [1] and a statement by the oil regulator itself, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) [2] has cancelled the approval for TotalEnergies $860 million sale of its share in the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Joint Venture to Chappal Energies. The Joint Venture was managed by Shell prior to the sale of the Shell Petroleum Development Company to Renaissance. Although public details are scarce as to the collapse of the Total-Chappal deal, media reports record the NUPRC spokesperson as confirming that Chappal Energies failed to raise the funds, and as a result TotalEnergies reportedly did not fulfil its requirement to pay regulatory fees and cover funds for environmental rehabilitation and future liabilities.[3]We welcome NUPRC’s enforcement of the regulations it is mandated to enforce, but regret that it has taken months for the decision to enter the public domain. The Nigerian public has a right to be informed of such developments as and when they occur. Now that the Total-Chappal deal has been revealed to have been founded on sand, the question arises why did the deal obtain ministerial consent in the first place? And, if Ministers gave approval for a deal that was without foundation, what other permissions have been similarly granted? In particular, the cancellation of the Total-Chappal sale calls into question President Tinubu’s decision to over-rule NUPRC’s advice that the sale of SPDC to Renaissance did not meet the regulatory requirements. That advice is understood to have rested on concerns over Renaissance’s technical and financial ability to pay for the historic liabilities of SPDC for cleaning up pollution from its operations and facilities, which are likely to run into tens of billions of dollars.We therefore call for the Shell-Renaissance deal to be subject to independent review. If NUPRC’s concerns were indeed well founded, there is a huge risk that the Nigerian people will end up having to pick up the tab for cleaning up SPDC’s mess. We also call for the release of the Environmental Evaluation Studies (EES) for each sale, and also the S&P assessment that was reportedly commissioned by NUPRC to assess the sale of SPDC to Renaissance. Democracy is not a spectator sport. It rests on the active involvement of citizens. As we mark the posthumous birthday of Ken Saro-Wiwa on 10th October and approach the 30 year memorial of the Ogoni-9, we demand action against these companies and their abusive practices. We call on civil society groups and parliamentarians to take up the call for the government to take urgent measures to ensure that the legacy of pollution caused by international oil companies is immediately cleaned up to international standards. And that the companies pay, not the Nigerian state and its peoples. It is unacceptable that the companies should profit at the expense of Nigeria. Signed,106 representatives of Nigerian and international civil society organizations, community groups, and concerned citizens listed belowCitations:[1] https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/823356-nuprc-cancels-totalenergies-860-million-nigerian-onshore-oil-business-sale.html[2] https://www.nuprc.gov.ng/nuprc-clarifies-totalenergies-chappal-deal/[3] https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/823356-nuprc-cancels-totalenergies-860-million-nigerian-onshore-oil-business-sale.html Nigerian signees:21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women InitiativeAccountability Lab NigeriaAfrica Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)African Centre for Media and Information LiteracyAminigboko Community, Emughan Clan, Abua/Odual LGA, Rivers StateAnti-corruption and Transparency Support InitiativeAssociation of Rural Chiefs for Peace & DevelopmentBudgITCenter for Environment Human Rights and DevelopmentCenter for Gender Equity and Sustainable DevelopmentCentre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate ChangeCENTRE FOR RURAL INTEGRATION AND DEVELOPMENTCITADCivil Rights Council (CRC)Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International NigeriaCivil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLACCommunity Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA)Connected AdvocacyDevelopment Research and Synergy InitiativeEagle Eye Transparency and Integrity Initiative EETAIIEcoWomen Connect for Environment and Food InitiativeEedee ladiesEedee Ladies of TaiFoundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development FENRAD NigeriaGbolekekro Women Empowerment and Development Organization (GWEDO)GGTNIGERIAGlobal RightsHealth of Mother Earth FoundationHEDA Resource CentreIbom Peer FoundationInitiative for Social Development in Africa (iSODAF)KEBETKACHE Women Development & Resource CentreLekeh development foundationLincgreen Climate Change InitiativeMiideekor Environmental Development Initiative-MEDIMovement For The Survival Of The Ogoni People – (MOSOP)Network Advancement Program for Poverty and DRR (NAPPDRR)OLEGH Centre for Community DevelopmentOxfamPartners for Community Empowerment (PACE)Partners West Africa – NigeriaPolicy AlertProcurement Observation and Advocacy InitiativeRelief International AfricaResource Centre for Human Rights & Civic education (CHRICEDRhodapomak Center for Empowerment and DevelopmentRights Advocacy and Development Centre – RADECRise For BayelsaSafe Space Development FoundationSamuel Uchechukwu Chukwure’s Family in Ibaa communitySocial Action, NigeriaSocio Economic Research and Development Centre, SERDECSpaces for Change, NigeriaSustainable Collective Advocacy for Africa Development Initiative (SCAAD Initiative )Touch to Heal InitiativeTraditional institutionUniversity of UyoWe the PeopleWomen in Media Communication Initiative (WIM)Women Youths and Children Advancement ProgramYouth for Change and Social Life development foundation YOFCIYouths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) International:350HawaiiAFRICA: Seen & HeardAfrican Initiative on Food Security and Environment (AIFE)Andy Gheorghiu ConsultingAnimals Are Sentient Beings, Inc.Anti-Fraud Initiative GhanaAssociation pour la défense des droits à l’eau et à l’assainissementBatani FoundationBoth ENDSCentre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO)Cherokee Concerned CitizensClimate Action for Lifelong Learners (CALL)Climate Camp ScotlandClimate Clock DRCCorner HouseDaraja PressEarthlife Africa DurbanEKOenergy ecolabelFair Finance InternationalFossil Free ParliamentFriends of the Earth FranceHawkmothInternational Lawyers ProjectJamaa Resource InitiativesJubilee Australia Research CentreJust ShareJustice 4 NigeriaMiningWatch CanadaNinja Tune LtdOil Change InternationalOLUCOMEPhysicians for Social Responsibility PennsylvaniaPlatformre•generationReCommonRights and Accountability in Development (RAID)The Future We NeedThe University of Hong Kong(Student)The Vessel Project of LouisianaTipping Point UKUnion of Concerned ScientistsurgewaldWar on WantWeka Afri Sustainable Biodiversity and Food Security Foundation

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