Niger Delta Region Plagued by Ineffective Enforcement of Legislation, Says Ajumogobia

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, is not the correct individual being referenced, rather it is former Minister of Petroleum and Foreign Affairs, Mr Henry Ajumogobia, SAN, who has stated that the Niger Delta region is plagued by a lack of implementation and enforcement of laws, which has led to issues such as gas-flaring and underdevelopment.

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Ajumogobia emphasized that proper implementation of laws would effectively address these issues, and he expressed these sentiments in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the NDDC Law and Development Summit, 2026, where he served as the keynote speaker.

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Ajumogobia noted that the Niger Delta is not suffering from a lack of laws, but rather a failure of legal governance, highlighting the need for change, particularly in the role of host communities in petroleum operations.

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He advocated for host communities to become active stakeholders, rather than passive observers, with enforceable participation rights, fair revenue sharing, and meaningful inclusion in decision-making processes, all of which can be introduced and sustained through law.

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Ajumogobia also emphasized the need to strengthen environmental law, including strict liability for pollution and reinforcement of cleanup obligations with strict deadlines, to effectively address environmental issues in the region.

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Furthermore, he called for the establishment of environmental courts in states within the region to handle issues related to oil exploration and pollution, with real authority to impose consequences and ensure compliance.

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Ajumogobia stressed that gas flaring must be prohibited absolutely, with stringent penalties for violation, rather than being tolerated, and that this must be enshrined in law to be effective.

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He also highlighted the need for decentralized resource governance, as over-centralization has disconnected communities from their own resources, leading to mistrust, conflict, and underdevelopment in the region.

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Ajumogobia emphasized the importance of transparency, with petroleum revenues, contracts, and community funds being open to scrutiny, as secrecy can breed corruption, and that transparency must be systemic.

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In addition, he noted that the Niger Delta region has diverse economic potential beyond oil, including agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and the blue economy, but that these sectors require legal and policy support to thrive.

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Ajumogobia concluded by stating that the Niger Delta paradox is not inevitable, but rather a governance outcome shaped by law, and that with effective governance, the region's challenges can be addressed.

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Meanwhile, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the commission has a statutory mandate to facilitate sustainable development in the region, as enshrined in the NDDC Establishment Act.

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Ogbuku emphasized that sustainable development in the region entails a balanced integration of economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection, and is not just about infrastructure development.

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Chairman of the 7th Governing Board of NDDC, Chiedu Ebie, noted that the region requires a legal framework to benefit from its resources, and that the summit was convened to explore how law can be used to accelerate sustainable development in the region.

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Ebie stated that the objective of the summit was to bring together experts and practitioners to discuss how law can be deployed, reformed, and innovated to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.