In a statewide protest, a coalition of Niger Delta groups, civil society organisations, and community leaders have called on President Bola Tinubu to halt the proposed divestment of Shell and TotalEnergies’ assets in the region.

The groups, which include Social Action, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), HEDA Resource Centre, and Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, among others, in a statement signed by their representatives yesterday, made the call during a peaceful protest.

According to the statement, the groups are demanding that the President takes immediate action to address the historical environmental and social liabilities of Shell and TotalEnergies in the Niger Delta.

The groups listed 11 key demands, including an immediate halt to all divestment processes until a transparent, comprehensive, and inclusive review is undertaken; ensuring inclusive and transparent consultation with state governments and the people, and holding Shell, TotalEnergies, and all other International Oil Companies (IOCs) accountable for their past and ongoing environmental damage.

Other demands include upholding the regulatory independence of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and allowing it to fulfil its statutory duties without political interference; respecting the resolution of the National Assembly, which has called for a halt to all divestments by IOCs and ensuring that new operators are properly vetted and committed to responsible environmental management and community welfare.

The groups also demanded the creation of an Environmental Restoration Fund to address the long-term damage caused by the operations of Shell, TotalEnergies, and other international oil companies in the Niger Delta.

In addition, the groups called for community profit-sharing opportunities for host communities as part of any divestment agreement, full disclosure of all environmental liabilities before divestment and the inclusion of gas flaring cessation and decommissioning plans in any divestment agreement

The groups warned that approving the sale of Shell’s and TotalEnergies’ assets without addressing these concerns would send a dangerous message to all multinational corporations operating in Nigeria that they can extract resources, leave devastation behind, and walk away without consequence.

Edegbuo said: “This is a defining moment in Nigeria. We urge Tinubu to stand with the people of the Niger Delta and uphold the values of justice, fairness, and environmental protection. By halting Shell’s, TotalEnergies’, and any other IOC divestment and demanding accountability, the President will send a powerful message that Nigeria’s sovereignty and the welfare of its citizens are paramount.”

The groups vowed to continue their advocacy until their demands are met, urging Tinubu to show leadership and ensure a just, sustainable, and prosperous future for all Nigerians.