Nigerian CSOs Urge Journalists to Investigate Oil Companies’ Impact on Local Communities

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria have called on journalists in Akwa Ibom State, a major oil-producing region, to intensify investigative reporting on the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards of oil companies and financial institutions operating in the area.

This appeal, championed by groups such as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Connected Development (CODE), and STEPS to Sustainable Transformation and Empowerment Foundation, was made during a two-day capacity training on fiscal accountability for selected journalists in Uyo, sponsored by OXFAM Nigeria in collaboration with Fair Finance International.

Ayo Omowu, Technical Programme and Communications Specialist of CISLAC, encouraged journalists to produce thorough, evidence-based reports that would empower communities impacted by the extractive industries to hold these companies accountable, especially under the guidelines of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). He urged journalists to investigate how many Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTF) have been established, the exact remittances to these funds as mandated by the 3% Opex, and the oversight role of the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

“We need investigative journalists who can examine the extractive industry’s compliance with the PIA and expose any questionable practices,” Omowu said, noting the importance of a well-informed press in promoting fiscal transparency.

Abdulazeez Hussaini from CODE further encouraged journalists to use the Freedom of Information Act to investigate and expose how resources meant for local development are being managed, urging collaboration with CSOs and whistle-blowers to access reliable data.

Harry Udoh, Executive Director of STEPS, added that investigative efforts should extend beyond the extractive industry to the financial sector, emphasizing the need to ensure banks operate within ESG standards. “Journalists must look into the NUPRC’s interactions with host communities and track how funds are managed to prevent the stagnation of these communities,” Udoh said.