Environmental activists, on August 20, 2025, intensified calls for the decommissioning of oil facilities in Ogoniland, Rivers State, citing decades of pollution and neglect.
At a rally in Port Harcourt, groups including the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People demanded that oil companies, led by Shell, dismantle abandoned infrastructure to restore the region’s ecosystem. The campaign, rooted in Ogoniland’s history of oil spills, seeks to address environmental damage affecting local communities.
The activists point to the 2011 UNEP report, which documented widespread contamination in Ogoniland’s water and soil, urging immediate cleanup. Despite government promises, including the 2016 HYPREP initiative, progress remains slow, leaving farmlands and rivers degraded. The rally, drawing thousands, called for transparent decommissioning processes and community involvement to ensure accountability. Oil companies have pledged to engage, but activists demand firm timelines for action.
The movement echoes the legacy of Ken Saro-Wiwa, whose 1990s activism brought global attention to Ogoniland’s plight. Nigeria’s government, balancing oil revenue and environmental concerns, faces pressure to act. The activists’ demands test the nation’s commitment to sustainable development, with Ogoniland’s restoration seen as a model for other oil-producing regions. As the campaign gains momentum, it highlights the urgent need for environmental justice in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
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