In Solidarity with Ogoni People: Condemnation of Plans to Resume Oil Production

Oil Change International, in solidarity with civil society organizations in the Niger Delta, condemns in the strongest terms the Nigerian government’s plans to resume oil production in Ogoni land. This decision disregards the longstanding environmental destruction, economic hardship, and social injustices endured by the Ogoni people due to decades of exploitative oil operations. Rather than addressing these historical grievances, the government is choosing a path that will deepen the suffering of communities already devastated by the toxic legacy of extractivism.

Three decades after the execution of the Ogoni 9, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, their fight against the environmental atrocities of oil companies like Shell, and their ultimate sacrifice, remains a stark reminder of the human cost of unchecked extractivism. Their sacrifice in the struggle for environmental and social justice must not be undermined by renewed exploitation.  Instead of perpetuating this legacy of harm, Nigeria must prioritize environmental restoration, community healing, and sustainable development that benefits the Ogoni people. Their voices must not be silenced by a renewed push to exploit Ogoni land further.

Nnimmo Bassey, Director at Health of Mother Earth Foundation, said:

“The polluters ask us to forget past grievances, but continued pollution isn’t a past grievance. Attempting to reopen the oil wells in Ogoniland is a denial of the gross ecological disaster that oil exploitation and colonial extractivism has wreaked in the territory and the larger Niger Delta. With Ororo-1 oil well burning for 5 years and another burning for over a week at Buguma, both in the Niger Delta, opening oil wells in Ogoniland is simply an attempt to reopen old wounds, compound ecocide and sentence the Ogoni people to misery. This is additional insult coming on the 30th anniversary of the murder of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni leaders.”

Celestine Akpobari from Ogoni Solidarity Forum, said: 

“It is sad that the Government of President Tinubu is about reopening old wounds and provoking another round of killings at a time the Ogonis were thinking that the government will fast track the remediation of their polluted environment and restoration of lost livelihoods. Why will a government kick start a clean up programme and open new oil wells at the same time? We demand an immediate withdrawal of such thinking and ask President Tinubu to focus on the clean up of the Niger Delta and exonerate Ken Saro-Wiwa and others from the murder charge awarded by a Kangaroo Military Tribunal.” 

Elizabeth Bast, Oil Change International Executive Director, said:

“Resuming oil production in Ogoni land today could repeat the same environmental destruction and human rights violations that led to the execution of the Ogoni 9. The Nigerian government’s plans threaten communities that are still dealing with contaminated water, polluted farmland, and chronic health issues. We cannot allow new oil development to inflict more damage.”

We are steadfast in our solidarity with the Ogoni people and all communities in the Niger Delta who stand up against injustice, exploitation, and environmental destruction. Together, we can build a future where justice prevails, and people and the planet are placed above profit.

In alignment with the broader movement for justice, we amplify the calls of civil society organizations that have condemned this plan and outlined clear demands for accountability, environmental restoration, and meaningful consultation with the Ogoni people. You can read their full statement here.