Niger Delta Youths Demand Oil Stakes
In the Niger Delta, the Ijaw Youth Council has urged governors to take control of oil resources by bidding for marginal fields before they are handed to outside interests.
The call comes as fresh allocations are being planned for about 25 oil fields in the region.
The group said communities where the oil is produced are often left out of decisions and benefits. It warned that new allocations could deepen long-standing complaints over resource control.
It also raised concerns about techniques like remote drilling, which may allow extraction without host communities knowing.
At a meeting in Port Harcourt, the council also criticised industry practices such as gas flaring and weak local investment.
While it praised Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited for engaging communities, it accused Seplat Energy of failing to meet obligations to the Ibeno host community in Akwa Ibom.
The group said locals remain excluded from jobs and economic gains despite hosting major oil facilities. It also raised concerns over recent arrests of youth leaders after protests.
The council called for fair treatment, stronger laws, and greater involvement of host communities in oil operations.
