Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including Policy Alert, BudgIT Foundation, and the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), have urged states in the Niger Delta to collaborate in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
The call was made during a regional stakeholders’ dialogue on “Strengthening Sub-National Fiscal Resilience in the Niger Delta,” held over the weekend in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Tengi George-Ikoli, a senior officer at NRGI, highlighted the fiscal risks posed by the global shift away from fossil fuels, noting that the Niger Delta’s heavy reliance on oil revenues leaves its states vulnerable. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive policy framework to address the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the transition.
“As the world steadily moves away from fossil fuels, states in the Niger Delta face economic uncertainty. There is an urgent need to rethink fiscal strategies and foster economic alignment between the national government and sub-nationals, ensuring no oil-producing state or community is left behind,” George-Ikoli stated.
Edidiong Dickson, Program Lead for Energy Extractives and Climate Justice at Policy Alert, raised concerns about the region’s economic future if oil revenues dwindle. He called for proactive steps to diversify revenue sources, emphasizing effective debt management, controlled expenditures, and increased domestic revenue generation as pathways to fiscal resilience.
Dickson also urged state governments to ensure any borrowing prioritizes long-term economic growth in key areas like health, education, and infrastructure. He lamented the Niger Delta’s low life expectancy of 41 years, attributing it to environmental challenges and insufficient social sector investments.
Iniobong Usen of BudgIT Foundation called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to take the lead by adopting policies that can serve as a model for other oil-producing states.
“When Akwa Ibom’s oil is no longer desired by the world or production slows, how will the state fund its projects, provide quality healthcare and education, or invest in critical infrastructure? How will it address the impacts of energy transitions on its people?” Usen asked.
The dialogue concluded with calls for greater collaboration among Niger Delta states to ensure a resilient economic future amid the global energy shift.