As the world prepares to commemorate World Environment Day (WED) 2025 on June 5 under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has raised alarm over the long-standing environmental devastation in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC-Nigeria decried the environmental toll of decades of unchecked oil exploration in the region, describing the Niger Delta as one of the most environmentally degraded areas globally, despite being a biodiversity hotspot and the backbone of Nigeria’s petroleum economy.
YEAC-Nigeria called on oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta to embrace sustainable and environmentally responsible practices, including reducing gas flaring and adequately funding environmental restoration projects. The Centre specifically referenced the ongoing Ogoni Clean-Up led by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the Bayelsa State Environmental Assessment Report, estimated to require $12 billion for effective remediation.
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The organization also urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to step up its oil spill response mechanisms, stressing the need for timely and comprehensive interventions in affected communities. In line with this year’s WED theme, YEAC-Nigeria advocated for robust plastic waste management policies. The organization called for the adoption of recycling initiatives, waste-to-energy solutions, and the promotion of biodegradable alternatives through government policy, private-sector innovation, and grassroots engagement.
Beyond plastic pollution, YEAC-Nigeria emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt climate-resilient development strategies. These include scaling up renewable energy investments, promoting sustainable land-use practices, and implementing climate adaptation measures, especially in flood-prone areas. “As environmental challenges worsen across Nigeria, urgent action is needed from all levels of government, corporate actors, and citizens to ensure a healthier and more sustainable environment for current and future generations,” the statement read.
YEAC-Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for environmental justice, sustainable development, and community-led action in the fight against ecological degradation and climate change.
