Environment watchdog, 350Africa, has condemned the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government’s decision to open 52 new oil blocks in the Cuvette Centrale basin.
President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of DRC
The campaigners stated that, the announcement, made during the Council of Ministers on Friday, May 2, 2025, is a direct threat to the Congo Basin’s vital ecosystems, the global climate, and the rights of communities living in and around these territories.
As a member of the “Notre Terre Sans Pétrole” coalition, 350Africa says it fully supports the coalition’s call for an immediate halt to the initiative and a full moratorium on oil and gas exploration across the country.
In 2023, a coalition of international NGOs including 350.org delivered a joint petition with over 100,000 signatures, urging the DRC Presidency to halt all new oil and gas developments in the country.
The activists describe the decision as not only a dangerous step backward in the global fight against climate change, but also an affront to the vision of the DRC as a “solution country” for climate, which the government has repeatedly promoted on the international stage.
Christian Hounkannou, Regional Organiser with 350Africa.org, said: “Oil expansion in the heart of the Congo Basin is a direct betrayal of climate justice and of communities fighting for dignity and clean, renewable energy. We cannot speak of just transition while destroying ecosystems and sidelining the voices of those most affected.
“The government’s claims of improved transparency and environmental safeguards do little to address the fundamental problem: fossil fuel expansion in one of the world’s most important carbon sinks is unacceptable. As the experience of Moanda and previous failed oil licensing rounds in 2022 and 2023 have shown, extractivism has brought pollution, conflict, and broken promises to communities – not development.
“We urge the DRC government to reverse this course and invest instead in people-centred renewable energy systems that protect forests, uphold the rights of Indigenous and local communities, and build real climate resilience. The future of Africa lies not in more oil wells, but in a just, inclusive transition to clean, renewable energy.”
The Energy and Sustainability Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum has rallied stakeholders’ support to drive laws and policies that will transform Nigeria’s energy space.
Team Lead, Sustainability and Environment working group of the committee, Princess Omeyoma Eshemitan
A statement by the Committee, which is chaired by Toma Fortune, reads: “Support us to create a more inclusive, informed and forward-moving energy and sustainability ecosystem powered by law, driven by youths and anchored in partnerships.”
The Team Lead, Sustainability and Environment working group of the committee, Princess Omeyoma Eshemitan, emphasised the Committee’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s energy sector.
Eshemitan, who is also Legal Adviser, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Youth-wing, said policies that will ensure sustainable human capital development among youths within the energy industry would translate to ensuring a sustainable future.
According to the lawyer, collaboration and support from other youth organisations and relevant stakeholders would enable the NBA-YLF succeed in the goal to ensure sustainable environment, as well as secure the future of young people in the sector.
“We have been obligated to drive policies as young lawyers to ensure the sustainability of youth-led businesses, sustainability of human capital development among youths within the energy sector, as well as sustainability of the environment because sustainability of the youth is sustainability of the future and the sector.
“As such, all youth-led organizations are encouraged to partner with the Nigerian Bar Young Lawyers Forum to drive transformational change through laws and policies within the energy space,” Eshemitan stressed.
The committee, which is poised to bring innovation to the sector, has already unveiled 17 Sustainable Energy Propositions (SEPs) that are expected to “bridge policy gaps, drive regulatory reforms and champion youths’ inclusiveness in governance of Nigeria’s energy and sustainability sectors.”
The SEPs which are inspired by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), include “youth inclusion in policy making; compulsory professional development; sustainable local content; youth-led climate diplomacy and international engagement; sustainable industry financing; energy and sustainability literacy for young professionals; youth-led research and innovation; just and equitable energy transition; sustainable ecosystem reform; sustainable industry compliance; host community development; environmental and social governance (ESG) reporting; technology and digital transformation; industry startups’ support; climate justice and rights advocacy; resource leadership and partnerships for the propositions.”
“The SEPs represent more than a roadmap; they are a call to action-an invitation to young legal professionals, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and regulators to collaborate in building an energy ecosystem that is innovative, legally sound, sustainable and fundamental in anchoring our advocacy to these 17 propositions.
“We reaffirm our dedication to shaping a legal and regulatory environment that not only meets present needs but safeguards the energy future for generations to come,” the statement added.
In another development, the NBA-YLF Energy and Sustainability Committee has called on youth organisations, students, civil society teams and individuals across the country to partner with it to commemorate the World Earth Day, through a nationwide tree planting campaign.
The committee is marking this year’s Day, themed “Our Planet, Our Power”, with the planting of 1,000 trees nationwide by May 2025.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that more than 30-year difference in life expectancy between the richest and the poorest countries highlights global health inequities.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Photo credit: AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI / Getty Images
The global health body stated this in its “World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity” launched on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, by its Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
The report revealed that where one was born could be the difference between living over three decades longer than someone else from a poorer country lacking safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs.
According to the report, people in the country with the highest life expectancy will, on average, live for 33 years more than those born in the country with the lowest life expectancy.
It further revealed that lack of safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs could be responsible for a reduction in life expectancy in both rich and poor countries alike.
“Our world is an unequal one. Where we are born, grow, live, work and age significantly influences our health and well-being,” said Ghebreyesus.
The report found that inequities in health were closely linked to degrees of social disadvantage and levels of discrimination.
“Health follows a social gradient whereby the more deprived the area in which people live, the lower their incomes are,” the UN global health agency said.
It stated that inequities’ were exacerbated in populations that face discrimination and marginalisation, such as Indigenous Peoples, who had lower life expectancies than their non-Indigenous counterparts.
According to the report, this is the case in both high- and low-income countries.
The study was the first to be published since 2008 when the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health released its final report.
The report laid out targets for 2040 for reducing gaps between and within countries in life expectancy, childhood and maternal mortality.
It showed that these targets were likely to be missed and in spite of a scarcity of data, there was sufficient evidence to show that health inequities were often widening.
“For example, children born in poorer countries are 13 times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than in wealthier countries.
“Moreover, modelling shows that the lives of nearly two million children annually could be saved by closing the gap and enhancing equity between the poorest and wealthiest sectors of the population within low- and-middle-income countries.”
Additionally, while maternal mortality declined by 40 per cent between the years 2000 and 2023, the majority of deaths, 94 per cent, still occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries.
WHO called for collective action to address economic inequality and invest in social infrastructure and universal public services.
The agency also recommended other steps, including overcoming structural discrimination and the determinants and impacts of conflicts, emergencies and forced migration.
The Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has confirmed oil leak from its facility in Ikata, Rivers State.
Oil spill at Ogboinbiri community in Bayelsa State
Renaissance Africa Energy is a consortium of five Nigerian oil and gas companies that acquired Shell’s onshore assets in Nigeria.
Its Spokesman, Mr. Michael Adande, said in a statement on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, that the company had shut crude feed into the 14-inch Okordia-Rumuekpe Pipeline.
Adande said that the move was to isolate and discontinue production into the pipeline in order to minimise potential environmental impacts.
He further said that Renaissance was working with regulators to convene a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the impacted site.
JIV is a statutory probe that follows reported oil spill incidents by the operator, regulators and host communities to ascertain the cause, volume and impacts.
Stakeholders in the environment sector have intensified sensitisation activities to create awareness to the dangers and mitigation measures to avert perennial flooding in Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa states.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State
The state governments in partnership with the Federal Government and development organisations also initiated viable environmental control measures to mitigate the disaster.
The stakeholders, including government officials, environmentalists and residents, stated this while responding to a survey on flood mitigation.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) predicted flooding in 18 states including Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa, in its 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).
Perennial flooding is ravaging communities and the environment due to the abundance of water bodies and rivers traversing across the states including the Hadejia-Jama’are River.
Over the years, the disaster is negatively impacting food supply, environmental sustainability, loss of lives, farmlands, livestocks, livelihoods and displaced millions of people, especially in rural areas.
Statistics of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) showed that flood destroyed 2,117 houses in 2024.
Mr. Ibrahim Nalado, the Director, Relief and Rehabilitation of the agency, said the houses were destroyed in 27 communities in Funakaye, Dukku, Kwami, Yamaltu Deba, Akko, Billiri and Kaltungo Local Government Areas of the state.
He said that three persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the disaster.
To mitigate the disaster, Nalado said the agency was conducting sensitisation activities in three flood areas to be impacted more this season.
According to Nalado, the agency in collaboration with stakeholders is conducting awareness creation on the disaster in Funakaye, Yamaltu/Deba and Dukku, to mitigate its impacts.
Nalado said the state government in partnership with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and North East Development Commission (NEDC), provided relief materials to the affected communities in 2024.
He advised residents of the state to clear drains and shun indiscriminate dumping of waste on waterways.
Also, Ummunah Ahmad, the Head of Operations, NEMA, Gombe State Office, said the agency had supplied relief materials for distribution to flood victims.
Ahmad said the state government emphasised the need for planning and preparation towards mitigating its impact, and advised people in flood prone communities to relocate to high areas.
Similarly, the Jigawa state government has deployed amphibious excavators to desilt Hadejia River and other water bodies to mitigate flooding in the state.
The excavators were being used in dredging and clearing typhar grass ravaging the river.
Mr Hamza Muhammad, Chairman, Jigawa Committee on Flood Control, said the state government adopted proactive measures to avert flooding.
He said the measure was necessary to effectively response to the disaster based on NiMet predictions.
“The amphibious excavators are used to conduct dredging while afloat on soft terrain such as swamp, wetlands and shallow waters.
“This is to ensure free flow of water in the river to avoid flooding,” he said.
He said that Gov. Umar Namadi directed the committee to expedite clearing exercise and fix critical areas damaged or affected by the disaster in 2024.
Muhammad said the governor also ordered the committee to complete all preparations to mitigate the disaster.
The chairman said the committee undertook a tour of the communities in flood prone areas, to enable it to make adequate preparations to effectively mitigate the disaster.
“We have also commenced river dredging, clearance, realignment and expansion of both sides of the rivers to ease free flow of water.
“Two of the amphibious excavators are currently working along Birniwa – Guri axis and others along Miga-Kafin Hausa axis of the river.
“The dyke construction is four-metre wide by 3.5 metre height across the flood prone communities,” he said.
According to Muhammad, the state government is constructing dykes and embankments from upstream, midstream and downstream, adding that the projects is being implemented incommunities ravaged by the disaster last season.
Similarly, the Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said that the state government adopted proactive measures to mitigate the recurrent disaster in the state.
Mr. Neyola Adamu, Director, Relief and Rehabilitation of the agency, said the NiMet’s SCP outlook did not indicate a specific area to be hit by the disaster this season.
“NiMet SCP indicates that 14 LGAs will experience drought for about 21 days within the months of June, July and August.
“We however advised communities in lowlands to vacate to higher grounds,” he said.
North-Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe have taken measures to contain possible high volume of flooding, in view of a forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Flooding in Maiduguri
The agency had predicted massive flood in some states, including the trio, in 2025 rainy season.
Officials from the three states disclosed that proactive measures were already being adopted ahead of the rainy season.
Dr Mohammed Goje, the Executive Secretary of Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), said the agency had activated its early warning systems and community sensitisation efforts across vulnerable local government areas.
“We have commenced a series of sensitisation campaigns in local languages across flood-prone communities, especially in Bade, Jakusko and Nguru.
“We are also coordinating with local governments and traditional institutions to enforce environmental sanitation and clear blocked waterways,” Goje said.
The Ministry of Environment in Yobe has further confirmed that desilting of major drainages in Damaturu, Potiskum and Gashua was ongoing.
Alhaji Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa, the state Commissioner for Environment, said government had also constituted a task force to monitor compliance with waste disposal regulations.
Similarly, the Adamawa government and relevant emergency agencies have intensified efforts to prevent and mitigate flood disasters.
Dr Celine Laori, Permanent Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), said the preparedness became necessary following the 2025 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) by NiMet.
She recalled that the SRP had warned of heavy rainfall in 30 states, with Adamawa as one of the high-risk states for flooding.
Laori urged stakeholders to embark on massive sensitisation campaigns to raise awareness and prepare residents to respond appropriately to flood threats.
“The Agency has commenced sensitisation campaigns in flood-prone communities and has mapped out temporary shelters in high-risk LGAs.
“Apart from sensitisation, we welcome any other intervention that will be beneficial to our people as we prepare for the predicted flooding.
“Currently, the agency is collaborating with local authorities and traditional rulers to ensure early warning information reaches vulnerable residents.
“We are not taking chances this year. Our teams are on the ground carrying out community engagement and have stockpiled relief materials in case of emergencies.
“We advised residents in flood-prone communities to begin relocating to higher grounds to safeguard their lives and property,” Laori said.
She said desilting of major drainages in Yola North, Yola South and Numan Local Government Areas had begun, with support from the Ministry of Environment.
According to her, the agency is working to ensure that precautionary measures are in place ahead of the peak of the rainy season.
The permanent secretary commended Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri for his proactive approach and commitment to disaster preparedness and response.
“The government has already procured food and non-food relief items for distribution in the event of any emergency.
“The administration has shown the willingness and readiness to respond effectively to any flood-related disaster,” she said.
Laori advised farmers to avoid cultivating flood-prone lands to prevent the loss of crops and investments during the rainy season.
Also speaking, Mr. Mennas Ngangurah, Director of Hydrology, Ministry of Water Resources, confirmed that water levels in River Benue and its tributaries were being closely monitored.
He said that the exercise was in collaboration with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
“We have installed flood gauges in strategic locations.
“Our collaboration with NIHSA and NiMet ensures accurate data sharing and timely intervention in the case of flooding,” he added.
Unlike Yobe and Adamawa, residents in Borno have expressed worry over the delay in Alau Dam reconstruction with the rainy season expected in the coming weeks.
The Federal Government had flagged off the reconstruction of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri about two months ago.
However, work has come to a standstill, leaving residents increasingly fearful as the rainy season approaches.
The delay has triggered concerns, with many urging the government to resume the reconstruction work urgently to avoid a repeat of last year’s flood disaster.
The Alau Dam, located on the outskirts of Maiduguri, is crucial for irrigation, water supply, and flood prevention.
In 2024, the collapse of the dam due to heavy rains exacerbated flooding, causing widespread destruction in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
Many residents, especially those who rely on the dam for irrigation during the dry season, are now expressing their frustration and fear that the stalled project could lead to further damage.
In March 2025, the federal government announced an N80 billion budget for the dam’s reconstruction, which was meant to mitigate flooding risks and provide a reliable source of water for local farmers.
However, as the rainy season rapidly approaches, there are no signs of progress at the construction site, prompting growing anxiety among residents.
“The rainy season will begin soon here in Maiduguri. It is a race against time to reconstruct the Alau Dam before the rains start.
“We were all hopeful when the government announced the reconstruction, but now we see no visible progress at the site.
“The situation is frightening for us,” said Ibrahim Amarawa, a concerned resident of Maiduguri.
“If work doesn’t resume soon, we risk facing another disastrous flood.”
However, an expert at the Yobe State University, Department of Geography, commended the government’s proactive steps.
He also warned that enforcement and sustained public engagement were key.
Dr Amina Adamu, a climatologist, urged authorities to invest in long-term flood control infrastructure.
“Beyond short-term cleanups, there is a need for embankments, retention basins, and urban drainage systems that can accommodate the volume of rainfall forecasted,” the expert said.
Civil society groups, such as the Yobe Climate Watch, have also begun community outreach and educational campaigns.
The group’s coordinator, Mr. Ibrahim Musa, highlighted the importance of local participation.
“We are training local volunteers to identify early signs of flooding and work with local leaders to facilitate evacuation if necessary,” Musa said.
As the rainy season approaches, residents have expressed cautious optimism.
Another expert from Borno, Usman Kachallah, a Meteorologist, said Alau Dam was not just a flood control resource but also a key element in the socio-economic activities of the region.
Kachallah said: “For many small-scale farmers, the dam is their primary source of water for irrigation. Its restoration would not only help prevent flooding but also boost agriculture and improve the livelihoods of thousands of people in the region.”
The delay in the reconstruction of the Alau Dam has raised questions about the efficiency and transparency of the project’s implementation.
“We want the government to be transparent about the progress of the reconstruction. We deserve to know what is happening and why there are delays.
“We are scared, and we need the dam to be finished before the rain comes,” Ibrahim Amarawa said.
He insisted that flood prevention should be a top priority for the government as the rainy season approaches.
The expert pointed out that climate change is contributing to more unpredictable weather patterns, making it essential for the government to take proactive steps to protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of flooding.
“The government needs to act swiftly to restore the Alau Dam and address other flood-prone areas,” the environmental expert from Maiduguri added.
“We cannot afford to wait until the floodwaters come again. Now is the time to act,” Amarawa said.
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assembling a capable leadership team at the NNPC, highlighting the appointments of Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as Group Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Ahmadu Musa Kida as Non-Executive Chairman.
Aliko Dangote
Dangote said he visited the President to commend him for putting together such a formidable and professionally competent team, that is eminently qualified to take NNPCL to a greater height.
According to Dangote, the new management team brings a wealth of technical expertise, and all have managerial experiences that are essential for revitalising Nigeria’s most strategic public enterprise.
The new team, according to Dangote, under the leadership of Bashir Bayo Ojulari and Ahmadu Musa Kida, reflects the President’s strategic intent to drive reform and innovation across the energy sector,” Dangote said. “We are confident that this team will address systemic challenges, align with the President’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, and reposition NNPC Limited for operational excellence and long-term sustainability.”
Reacting to questions from the select media over the weekend on his statement that he is still fighting for the survival of his $20 billion refinery, and that he is determined to fight the cabals in the oil sector to a standstill, Dangote said his statement was not in any way connected to the new leadership of the NNPC, noting that the new leadership in the NNPCL has been so far supportive in terms of meeting the company’s needs.
He revealed that the cabals he was referring to are some major oil marketers and traders who were bent on frustrating the efforts on President Tinubu in revamping the nation’s economy.
He noted that the recent activities and structural reforms introduced by NNPC Limited serve as strong indicators of the organisation’s renewed focus on transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
“The calibre of individuals at the helm, and their deliberate, reform-driven agenda, demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of performance and professionalism,” he added.
With optimism, Dangote expressed confidence that the new leadership of NNPC Limited would propel the country’s energy industry to new heights and reaffirmed his group’s commitment to supporting the collective vision of a prosperous, energy-secure Nigeria.
The Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) Foundation has appointed two of Africa’s most eminent conservation leaders to its Board of Trustees: Nigeria’s former Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, and Professor Lee White, who is Gabon’s former Minister of Water, Forests, the Sea and the Environment.
Sharon Ikeazor, Nigeria’s former minister of state, environment Photo credit: IISD/ENB/Kiara Worth
Ikeazor has also accepted an invitation from the board members to serve as chair of the board.
In warmly welcoming Ikeazor and White to the board, the EPI Foundation’s CEO, John Scanlon AO, said: “Sharon Ikeazor is a dedicated and effective advocate for the environment, both in Nigeria and at the international level, and Lee White has been a renowned conservationist in Gabon and is a tireless spokesman for nature conservation in Africa. We are thrilled that the EPI Foundation will benefit from their deep expertise and vision and consolidate its position as Africa’s voice in elephant conservation,”
The EPI Foundation serves as the secretariat to the EPI, an alliance of 26 African countries with common policies on elephant conservation. The EPI was formed in 2014 by the leaders of Botswana, Chad, Ethiopia, Gabon, and Tanzania and has grown steadily ever since. Most of Africa’s surviving elephants are in EPI countries.
Ikeazor and White have already served on the EPI’s Leadership Council, where they provided valuable guidance and advice to the EPI Foundation.
Following her appointment as Chair of the Board, Ikeazor said: “I am determined that Africa should save its elephants, but we must also ensure a better future for the people who live near them, and I will use my position as Chair to advance those objectives.”
Professor White said: “Over the past decade, the EPI has succeeded in preserving the international moratorium on ivory trade and worked to close many ivory markets. I want to help the EPI Foundation consolidate those achievements, but also to expand its good work in addressing the growing challenge of conflict between people and elephants as they compete for land and diminishing natural resources.”
In a bid to boost energy access and drive economic prosperity in Africa, the Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has urged African nations to forge a united front in the fight against energy poverty across the continent.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil)
He stressed that, by working together, African countries can overcome energy poverty, drive economic growth, and improve the lives of millions of people.
Lokpobiri made the call during the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Pavilion, hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, U.S.
The theme of the 2025 PETAN conference is: “Africa’s Energy Renaissance: Leveraging Innovation and Natural Gas for Sustainable Development”.
The Minister stated that, by pooling resources, African countries can invest in large-scale energy projects, reducing costs and increasing efficiency also, Collaboration can facilitate the exchange of best practices, technologies, and expertise, accelerating progress in the energy sector.
Also, the minister stressed the need for Africa to develop cohesive policies that are tailored to the continent’s unique circumstances, warning that fragmented approaches would be ineffective in addressing the escalating energy deficit.
“This conference is not a jamboree. It is a platform for Nigeria, and by extension, Africa—to showcase its vast potential,” Lokpobiri said.
He underscored the importance of regional collaboration, highlighting the Africa Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) as a strategic entity established to devise shared solutions for the continent’s energy challenges.
Lokpobiri also expressed his approval of Donald Trump’s return as President of U.S., suggesting it could help decelerate what he termed the “hypocritical” global energy transition narrative, saying, “it has put Africa at a disadvantage”.
According to him, the prevailing global discourse on energy transition is largely influenced by geopolitical considerations.
In response to this challenge, he announced that APPO is in the process of establishing the African Energy Bank to bridge funding gaps and ultimately free the continent from energy poverty.
“This is an opportunity to let you know that your concerns are gradually being addressed.
“As members of APPO, we are in partnership with Afrexim Bank, which during our last meeting disclosed that it has an exposure of nearly $14 billion.
“This amount, along with an additional $5 billion as the initial take-off capital, will be transferred to the African Energy Bank—bringing the total to over $19 billion,” he disclosed.
He further stated that the African Energy Bank is scheduled to begin operations within the current quarter.
Lokpobiri called on African nations to repatriate investments held overseas and channel them into the African Energy Bank to bolster the continent’s energy security.
During a meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart, Lokpobiri advised Ghana to draw lessons from Nigeria’s past experiences in the energy sector, particularly in avoiding early missteps.
In his address, Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Mr. John Abdullahi, acknowledged Nigeria’s leading role in the region.
He stated that while Ghana is a relatively new player in the oil and gas sector, it is eager to learn from Nigeria’s experiences and reforms, especially in the areas of local content development and climate policy.
“We will continue to consult Nigeria as we build a successful oil and gas industry.
“The collaboration between both countries remains strong,” Abdullahi said.
Earlier, the Chairman of PETAN, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, emphasised the significance of Nigeria’s presence at OTC.
Ogunsanya stated that “This year’s event, under the Nigerian Pavilion, is set to highlight Africa’s growing role in the global energy sector.
“OTC 2025 promises to bring together top-tier industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at the world’s largest energy event.”
He noted that PETAN’s consistent participation over the years had significantly contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Ogunsanya recalled that, two decades ago, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) tasked PETAN with coordinating Nigeria’s activities at OTC, with the primary objective of attracting investment and fostering strategic partnerships.
He underscored the imperative for Nigeria to continue building capacity and driving value creation across the entire oil and gas value chain.
The event was well-attended by Nigerian government officials, key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, exhibitors, and delegates from various West African nation
The importance of designing and managing urban environments that support both birds and people is the message of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day, a global campaign organised by the United Nations and international partners. The campaign kicks off with this year’s first peak day on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Migratory birds
Under the theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities,” the campaign urges collective efforts to secure the future of migratory birds in and around urban environments amid alarming bird population declines. Challenges like habitat loss and threats including bird collisions, light pollution and bird mortality caused by free-roaming pets should be addressed by decision makers and by involving residents in bird conservation efforts and encouraging a sense of ownership and collaboration in their communities.
Observed twice a year to align with migration patterns in both hemispheres, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) promotes the need to conserve migratory birds and the habitats they depend on through education, public events, and international collaboration. The 2025 theme focuses on sustainable urban planning, bird-friendly actions, and community efforts to create environments that support both birds and people.
Urgent Need for Action
Globally, 49% of all bird species are in decline and about 1 in 8 species is threatened with extinction. Migratory bird populations, in particular, continue to decrease. Published by the U.S. Committee of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI), the recent State of the Birds 2025 report highlights alarming declines in bird populations across the Americas.
The majority of the world’s bird species (four in five) are unable to fully thrive in human-dominated environments, according to a 2024 study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography. In urban and semi-urban settings, window collisions, light pollution, habitat loss and fragmentation, household pesticides, invasive species, and outdoor cats, are the major threats for birds.
Artificial light disorients night-migrating birds, heightening these collision risks. In 2023, nearly 1,000 migrating birds died after crashing into a building in Chicago, USA. In fact, studies have found that migratory birds may be subject to the effects of light pollution particularly during migration, the most critical stage of their annual cycle.
Noise pollution can mask or interfere with bird songs, which are crucial for attracting mates, establishing territories, and warning others of danger. It can also affect the birds’ breeding schedules and success rates. In Munich, Germany, scientists found zebra finch chicks born in places with constant traffic noise were smaller than those from parents who bred and built nests in quieter locations.
Free-roaming cats also pose a serious threat to bird species. Cats are estimated to kill between 100 and 350 million birds per year in Canada, while in Australia, cats are responsible for more than a million daily bird deaths nationwide. In the city of Adelaide, cats have been implicated in the disappearance of at least one bird species, the Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel).
According to the UN, 55% of the global human population resides in urban areas, and this share is projected to rise to 68% by 2050. Urban expansion is rapidly reducing natural habitats, leaving migratory birds with fewer places to rest, feed, and breed.
Designing cities and communities to reduce adverse impacts on birds and their habitats and to support bird populations also improves human well-being, including mental health. When birds are thriving, it often signals healthy ecosystems. Cities that protect birds also tend to invest in clean air, water, and green spaces, which ultimately benefit birds and people. Bird-friendly streetscapes, parks, and green roofs create more livable, beautiful environments and birds can help people feel connected to nature and to their neighborhoods and inspire community pride.
Steps Toward Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities
The World Migratory Bird Day 2025 campaign proposes practical ways for governments, businesses, and individuals to create bird-friendly cities and communities. Some examples of actions being encouraged through this year’s campaign include:
Support bird-friendly urban planning: minimise the destruction of important bird habitats in urban development.
Plant native plants: provide food and shelter for birds and support pollinators like bees and butterflies and some species of birds.
Prevent collisions: use window films or patterned glass to reduce bird-window collisions.
Turn off lights: reduce artificial light at night to protect migrating birds.
Avoid pesticides: use organic methods to control pests and help protect insects and clean water that birds rely on.
Reduce plastic waste: prevent birds from ingesting or getting tangled in plastic.
Keep cats away: protect birds by keeping cats inside, on leash, or providing enclosed outdoor spaces.
Advocate & educate: promote bird-friendly urban planning and raise awareness in your community.
Whether it’s individuals planting native plants in their yards or policymakers implementing bird-friendly urban planning and conservation measures, every community member can help support migratory birds.
Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), said: “Millions of migratory birds all around the world spend a key part of their life cycles within cities and other built communities – whether for breeding, feeding or as a stop along their migratory pathways. Nature does not end at the city limit; we share our urban and community spaces with a hugely diverse range of wild species of birds. Ensuring that our cities and communities are developed and maintained in a manner that supports migratory birds is not only vital for their survival, but also benefits people in countless ways.”
Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA): “As cities restore their rivers and green spaces, migratory waterbirds are returning – bringing us moments of great pleasure. Whether we are listening to the song of birds at dawn or witnessing the flight of ducks near a pond or the call of a flock of cranes high above our cities, nature is contributing to our well-being. We must therefore do all we can to protect these remaining shared spaces and create more of them. Bird-friendly cities have spaces where birds and people can thrive, increasing our contacts with nature and giving us these small moments of serenity in our busy urban lives.”
Jennifer George, Chief Executive of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP): “World Migratory Bird Day underscores the critical concept of ‘Shared Spaces’ – the interconnected habitats within our communities and across the globe. Places which both people and migratory birds rely on for survival, development, recreation, agriculture. A delicate balance.
“Witnessing the recent loss of vital roosting trees in my own community served as a stark reminder of our capacity to disrupt these essential ecosystems. This raises a fundamental question: where will these birds now find refuge? Let us raise awareness of these shared spaces. Let us celebrate the remarkable journeys of our migratory birds and dedicate ourselves to practical actions we can take for our avian friends.”
Susan Bonfield, Executive Director of Environment for the Americas (EFTA): “This year’s theme, ‘Shared Spaces’, reminds us that protecting migratory birds requires working together across communities, from bustling cities to rural villages, to create a healthier planet for people and for wildlife to coexist. By creating bird-friendly spaces with sustainable practices like thoughtful urban planning and land management, we can tackle habitat loss, climate change, and other challenges we all face together.
“World Migratory Bird Day is a reminder of the shared responsibility we have to care for our planet. It’s about inspiring a sense of wonder, connection, and stewardship for the natural world and the birds in our skies. Together, we can create a world where cooperation, like our birds, transcends borders and leads to a brighter, unified future.”
