A civic organization, Clean Ecosystem Foundation, is urging President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to pay $100 billion to oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta. This compensation is for the damage caused by decades of oil exploration, which has severely affected the environment and the livelihoods of people living in the region.

The foundation made this request in a recent report after conducting a month-long investigation across nine oil-producing states. A team of seven environmental experts visited these areas, assessing the impact of over 65 years of oil drilling. They discovered that pollution from oil spills and gas flaring has destroyed fishing grounds, farmland, and local wildlife, making life harder for millions of people.

Why is Compensation Needed?

According to the foundation’s Executive Director, Mr. Isaac Onome, many Niger Delta communities are struggling with extreme poverty, poor healthcare, and a lack of clean water. The report found that:

• Life expectancy in these communities is now half of what it was 65 years ago due to pollution-related diseases.
• Many people suffer from cancer, heart problems, asthma, and reproductive issues caused by toxic chemicals in the air and water.
• Oil spills have killed fish and plants, making it difficult for locals to farm or fish for food.
• There are very few hospitals or health centers, leaving people without proper medical care.

The $100 billion fund, according to the group, would be used to:

• Build hospitals and provide healthcare for those affected.
• Restore fishing and farming to improve food security.
• Protect endangered species and clean up polluted land and water.

Call for Urgent Action

Mr. Onome stated that the money should be placed in a special account managed by oil-producing states along with local and international environmental organizations to ensure it is spent properly. He also emphasized the need for the government to act quickly, warning that delays could lead to more suffering and tension in the region.

The report also highlighted that while the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) exist to help the region, they do not address past injustices. The foundation also pointed out that the federal government has provided special grants to the North East and North West, while the Niger Delta—despite being the source of Nigeria’s oil wealth—has not received similar attention.

International Support

The Clean Ecosystem Foundation revealed that its leadership had met with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who showed deep interest in the environmental and humanitarian crisis in the Niger Delta. The group plans to work with international organizations to put pressure on the Nigerian government to release the compensation funds in 2025.

With Nigeria’s oil production reaching 1.8 million barrels per day in November 2024, the group insists that oil-producing communities deserve fair compensation. Without immediate action, the damage to the people and the environment of the Niger Delta could become irreversible.