As Space for Change (S4C) marks its 13th anniversary, the organisation has expressed deep concerns over Nigeria’s energy transition, highlighting the exclusion of host communities from critical policy discussions.

The organisation, while acknowledging the benefits of reducing carbon emissions, warns of several challenges like greenwashing by energy firms that rebrand themselves as eco-friendly without making real environmental commitments, divestment from fossil fuel projects without properly remediating the environmental damage caused in host communities, national energy policies that shape the new green economy but fail to address the needs of local populations, among others.

Executive Director of S4C, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, who spoke on the anniversary of the organisation, yesterday, in Lagos, said over the years, S4C had empowered communities, provided them with legal resources, training, information and spaces for negotiation between the people, company and the regulatory bodies.

She added that S4C had long advocated for energy and environmental justice, particularly in the Niger Delta region, where oil exploration has impoverished millions despite the region’s contributions to Nigeria’s economy.

Ibezim-Ohaeri emphasised that the organisation had played a key role in advocating for a legal framework that mandates companies to contribute towards social and economic benefits for local people, as well as ensuring a more inclusive energy transition process.

Also, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Orji Ogbonnaya, in his goodwill message, has reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening partnership with S4C to advance environmental justice and community inclusion in the extractive sector.

Ogbonnaya, who was represented by NEITI’s board member, Nkechi Isigwe, added that the relentless advocacy by S4C had transformed the landscape of host community engagement in the Niger Delta, noting that through their pioneering efforts, S4C has championed the cause of communities long neglected by environmental and social injustices resulting from oil exploration.

He said that S4C had empowered these communities with the tools and platforms needed to assert their rights, demand accountability, and participate meaningfully in shaping policies that affect their well-being and livelihoods.