The Ogoni people have renewed calls for justice, environmental remediation, and compensation over decades of alleged exploitation and environmental degradation linked to oil exploration in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative, its President, Dr. Douglas Fabeke, said the Ogoni people have endured hardship since the discovery of oil in 1958, alleging that oil companies extracted resources from the land without providing commensurate economic benefits to the indigenous population.
According to him, decades of oil exploration have left Ogoniland environmentally devastated, with widespread pollution affecting farmlands, water sources, and livelihoods. He recalled that the crisis led to the loss of over 3,000 lives, including the execution and killing of prominent Ogoni leaders, before oil companies announced their withdrawal from the area in 1993.
Dr. Fabeke noted that in response to the situation, the Ogoni people collectively drafted the Ogoni Bill of Rights to demand equity, environmental protection, and development, but said the document has yet to yield meaningful results.
He also expressed concern over the slow pace and alleged mismanagement of the ongoing environmental cleanup programme, which was launched to address pollution in the area.
“An environmental cleanup initiative was launched to address the pollution that has claimed many lives and rendered our land uninhabitable, but it has produced little tangible impact. Instead, we continue to witness waste and corruption, including the alleged misappropriation of billions of naira meant for cleanup and water projects,” he said.
Despite several delegations to Abuja, Fabeke said many Ogoni communities still lack access to clean drinking water and have not received compensation for environmental damage.
He further disclosed that a delegation in 2025 raised hopes of renewed engagement, but said recent developments suggest that progress may be stalling.
“Our people are worried that Ogoni land is being divided and dissent silenced. At a recent meeting at the Rivers State Government House, the allocation of security slots for Ogoni communities only heightened tension rather than bringing solutions”.
Fabeke called for clarity on the status of the reported $300 million compensation fund and the actual progress of the cleanup exercise, noting that trust in official promises has continued to erode.
“Our people have lost confidence in repeated assurances. We will continue to pursue redress through all lawful and legitimate channels until our grievances are addressed.”
He announced that during an event held in Bori on January 3, 2026, the organisation pledged that 2026 would mark a new phase in amplifying Ogoni voices on the global stage.
According to him, a major project aimed at drawing international attention to the Ogoni struggle is scheduled to be unveiled on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 7:00 a.m.
“Our voices and tears for freedom will resonate globally as we launch one of our most long-awaited initiatives. We will keep the public informed in the days leading to January 31, 2026,” he added.
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