Lessons from the UNEP Ogoniland Environmental Assessment for New Oil and Gas Frontiers in Africa

Nigeria undoubtedly has been Africa’s foremost oil producer until recently, when, now and again, Angola overtakes Nigeria in its crude oil production as reported in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Monthly Oil Market Report. Nevertheless, Nigeria has led other African countries in production volumes and has had the highest proven crude oil reserves. However, wanton exploitation of this vital resource and the ensuing neglect of the indigenous communities, as well as environmental mismanagement and degradation resulting from oil pollution, have contributed immensely to the prevalence of unemployment, poverty, disease, insecurity and general underdevelopment of not just the oil-rich Niger Delta but Nigeria as a whole. This is a paradox.

This article draws lessons for new African entrants in the oil and gas scene (such as Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and others) from the Independent Environmental Assessment conducted by UNEP in Ogoniland, Nigeria, at the request of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Though the Report (UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland, 2011) was released in August 2011, it is still relevant today as the start-up of the clean-up recommended was just inaugurated in mid 2016. Important lessons to be drawn from the report include developing effective industry regulations, project planning, structuring high-level negotiations, bridging fragile community relations and adopting best practices in environmental management in the oil and gas industry. It addressed pertinent issues that affect ongoing hydrocarbon exploration and processing operations in new oil and gas frontiers in Africa and offers insights for navigating the complex, but potentially highly rewarding industry by learning from the forerunners in Africa - Nigeria.