‘Energy transition: CSOs demand greater role for Niger Delta communities’ 22 August 2026

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have called for greater transparency, accountability and community ownership in Nigeria’s energy transition. They made the call at a workshop on energy transition and energy democracy organised by Environmental Rights Action (ERA) Nigeria and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Nigeria in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, August 21, 2026. The workshop, with the theme, “Who Controls Our Energy? Energy Access and Social Justice,” examined energy access, ownership and control in the Niger Delta. Programme Manager, ERA Nigeria, Mr. Kentebe Ebiarodor, said Nigeria’s energy transition should be people-oriented and guarantee access to reliable and affordable energy regardless of location or economic status. According to him, communities, labour and other segments of society must have a role in shaping the country’s energy future.

Ebiaridor expressed concern over continued dependence on fossil fuels, saying decades of oil extraction had failed to translate into sustainable development for Niger Delta communities. “The Nigerian Government has been very clear about its drive for energy, irrespective of the impact it is having on the environment,” he said. He said continued dependence on fossil fuels raised concerns because decades of oil extraction had failed to produce meaningful development for affected communities…“Energy democracy should ensure communities participated in decisions on how energy resources were managed and distributed,” he said. Similarly, Dr. Emem Okon, Executive Director, Kabetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, called for increased community participation in energy resource management. Okon said reliable energy was critical to small businesses, schools, health centres and other essential services in communities.

…Bolton said the situation presented an opportunity for communities to demand greater ownership of decentralised renewable energy systems, including solar-powered mini-grids. “The community-owned systems could create employment, develop technical skills and provide reliable electricity for small and medium-scale enterprises,” he said. He urged communities to use resources available through the Host Community Development Trusts to develop skills in solar panel installation, production and maintenance. He also called for resources meant to address environmental pollution, including gas flare penalties, to be deployed for their intended purposes. The stakeholders urged the government, communities, labour and other actors to ensure that Nigeria’s energy transition delivered social, economic and environmental justice to Niger Delta communities.