Olayiwola Matthew
The National Union of Ogoni Students International (NUOS INT’L USA), in collaboration with the Center for Democracy, Human Rights, and Anti-Corruption International (CDHRAC INT’L USA), has condemned the Nigerian government’s reported plan to meet with selected Ogoni leaders in Abuja to discuss the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
It was earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu’s administration, through National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, invited prominent Ogoni leaders to a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The invitation, sent by Ribadu’s Special Assistant, Goodluck Ebelo, reportedly includes a two-night stay at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel beginning Monday, January 20, 2025.
In a joint statement dated Monday, January 20, 2025, and signed by NUOS INT’L President Pius Nwinee and CDHRAC INT’L Coordinator Cornelius Dumerenee, the groups expressed strong opposition to the meeting, describing it as a ploy to reward individuals who allegedly betrayed Ken Saro-Wiwa, the late founder and President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP).
“Our attention has been drawn to a list of some so-called prominent Ogoni leaders, whom the then Nigeria government and Shell used their false statements and testimonies in sentencing Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists to death by hanging.
“These people have once again been invited to the second hanging party of
Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists and they are to be rewarded by the President Bola Tinubu-led government in the name of oil resumption.
“While we are not opposed to the government’s ploy to reward the so-called prominent Ogoni people, we equally do not endorse such provoking ploy to cause another round of blood shed in Ogoniland, where little or nothing has been done to the raging environmental violence under HYPREP manipulation with harmful chemical instead of professional experience and technical know-how capacity reputed for best practices in such an instance.
“Ogoni is poor today, not because Ogoni is poor, but because the Nigerian government conspired with the Royal Dutch Shell to steal our oil, killed and hanged our leaders, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists, destroyed our environment and massacred over 17 Ogoni towns and villages. That is what we need to talk about and not oil that was stolen,” the statement read.
The groups further emphasised the need for justice for the Ogoni people and urged the Nigerian government to address the root causes of the conflict in Ogoniland before considering the resumption of oil exploration.
They asserted that Ogoni’s impoverishment stems from systemic exploitation, environmental degradation, and historical injustices.
The Federal Government was also urged to exonerate Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight activists, stating, “They were targeted for their vocal advocacy against environmental destruction, not for any crimes. The records of their execution remain a stain on Nigeria’s history.”
They also called on Shell and the Nigerian government to issue a formal apology to the Ogoni people and honour the fallen activists.
The statement criticised the government for prioritising political meetings over the proper cleanup of Ogoniland, which has suffered decades of pollution due to oil activities.
“The $1 billion allocated for Ogoniland cleanup is woefully inadequate. Instead of focusing on addressing the environmental disaster, the government is rewarding individuals who betrayed the cause. Ogoniland’s future cannot be toyed with through hollow promises and self-serving actions,” they said.
Ogoniland has long been a center of activism due to severe environmental damage caused by oil exploration. The 2011 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report recommended extensive remediation, but progress has been slow, heightening frustrations among Ogoni residents.
Community leaders and environmental advocates have repeatedly demanded thorough cleanup efforts, fair resource management, and proper compensation for the years of exploitation.
The statement concluded with a warning: “This meeting is an avenue to deceive the Federal Government and serve selfish interests. It will not lead to meaningful development in Ogoniland. The government must prioritize justice, environmental restoration, and accountability over political theatrics.”
The controversy surrounding the planned meeting highlights ongoing tensions over resource control, environmental justice, and governance in Nigeria.