Stakeholders in Rivers State have called for stronger legislative oversight and public participation in Nigeria’s investment treaties process insisting that communities must have a greater voice in agreements that affect their environment and livelihoods.
The call was made at a two‑day multi‑stakeholder roundtable on Investor‑State Dispute Settlement, energy transition and investment governance that was held in Port Harcourt.
The meeting brought together policymakers, regulators, government representatives, civil society groups, host communities oil‑producing communities and the media to discuss how investment treaties could affect protection, community interests and Nigeria’s energy transition.
Participants said the ongoing reform of Nigeria’s investment treaties provides an opportunity to improve transparency and ensure that agreements are properly scrutinised by lawmakers and the public.
Policy Alert Executive Director, Tijah Bolton‑Akpan said investment treaty obligations could affect the government’s ability to regulate in the interest especially as Nigeria balances continued dependence on fossil‑fuel revenues with its energy transition plans.
Chris Nku of Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN) said investment treaties should align with laws and include clear environmental and social safeguards.He said host communities were often inadequately represented during treaty negotiations even though they bear the consequences of investments in their areas.
Participants also raised concerns about oil and gas asset divestments in the Niger Delta calling for companies leaving assets to remain accountable for liabilities.They urged the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to strengthen monitoring of liabilities.
The roundtable organised by Policy Alert with ActionAid Nigeria and SDN also called for transparency, in treaty negotiations and stronger protection of Nigeria’s right to regulate in the public interest.
