International CSOs ask Tinubu to Halt Oil Divestment in Niger Delta

• Warns that Approval of IOCs Assets Sales Would Be detrimental to the Niger Delta

A coalition of local and International Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on President Bola Tinubu for an immediate 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 also urged 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 was also 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 demand was made in a statement jointly signed by 120 representatives 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)

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 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 implored 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; adding that President Tinubu can assert Nigeria’s sovereignty and prioritize the well-being of its citizens.