The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and relevant regulatory agencies to begin immediate and comprehensive remediation of oil-polluted Ijaw communities, warning that failure to act will trigger the shutdown of oil and gas operations across Ijaw territories.

The decision was announced in a communiqué released at the end of the IYC National Convention held at the weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and signed by the council’s President, Dr. Alaye Theophilus.
The IYC accused decades of oil exploration and production activities of causing severe environmental devastation, threatening livelihoods, public health, and ecological sustainability across Ijaw land.

“The convention unequivocally condemns the persistent ecological damage, oil pollution, and environmental degradation in Ijaw territories,” the communiqué stated.
“The Federal Government is hereby given a final and non-negotiable 60 days to commence visible, comprehensive clean-up and remediation efforts.”

The council said the ultimatum is modelled after the Ogoniland remediation framework, stressing that continued resource extraction without environmental responsibility is unacceptable and unjust.
It further announced the establishment of a mobilisation and sensitisation committee to engage Ijaw communities and key stakeholders, aimed at ensuring collective awareness and preparedness should the Federal Government fail to respond within the stipulated timeframe.

The IYC emphasised that its demand is not directed at any ethnic group in the Niger Delta or elsewhere in Nigeria, but is a call for environmental justice, equity, and sustainable development for oil-producing communities.
While acknowledging ongoing clean-up efforts in Ogoniland, the council urged the Federal Government to urgently review the leadership of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

It specifically called for the removal of the Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarin Zabbey, and the Minister of Environment, citing concerns over the effectiveness, transparency, and pace of implementation of the programme.
In a separate resolution, the convention passed a vote of confidence in Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, endorsing him for a second term.

The council also declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, citing his role in stabilising the political climate in Rivers State.
“The President has demonstrated genuine commitment to peace and stability in Rivers State, creating an enabling environment for democratic governance,” the communiqué added, noting that this informed its decision to back his re-election.