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NLNG, NCDMB to collaborate in asset intervention programme

Michael Simire
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NLNG, NCDMB to collaborate in asset intervention programme

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) engaged in productive discussions towards collaboration in support of NLNG’s planned revamp and enhancement of key operational facilities in Trains 1 to 6 of the NLNG Plant.

The initiative is aimed at improving asset performance and overall productivity.

This took place during the Nigerian Content Stakeholders Retreat hosted last week at NLNG’s operational base at Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State.

NCDMB
The presentation of awards to outstanding companies and individuals for their contributions to Nigerian Content development in Nigeria

During the retreat, the General Manager Production, NLNG, Nnamdi Anowi, outlined the company’s revamp programme named “Accelerated Asset Intervention (AAI).” He explained that the initiative is expected to commence in 2026 and will require NCDMB’s support and relevant approvals to enable timely execution. According to him, the AAI programme is intended to overhaul the Trains and Common Facilities, which are key to operations.

“The goal is to implement predictive maintenance and continue to deliver sustainable top quartile and reliability performance, continue to deliver gas and value to the country and retain NLNG’s position as the best company in the country,” he said.

Responding, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director of Capacity Building, NCDMB, Abayomi Bamidele, pledged NCDMB’s support for NLNG’s plans, in line with the existing close collaboration between the organizations and NCDMB’s role as a regulator and business enabler in the oil and gas industry.

He remarked that NCDMB and NLNG had collaborated successfully to develop the first Service Level Agreement (SLA) between an operating company and a regulator in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and are currently working on other technical capacity building initiatives.

He recalled that NCDMB granted accelerated approvals for key projects in the NLNG Train 7, which enabled the project to commence in 2020 at the height of COVID-19 pandemic. NCDMB equally granted speedy approvals and support for the new gas projects, which will provide feedstock for Train 7, he stated.

The Executive Secretary emphasised the need for NLNG to optimise Nigerian content and utilise in-country capacities in the proposed packages, in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.

Speaking later at the Award Gala Dinner marking the formal conclusion of the Nigerian Content Stakeholders Retreat and Appreciation Night 2025, the Executive Secretary commended NLNG for the giant strides it had recorded with the Train-7 Project. He expressed delight that the Train-7 Project currently employs thousands of workers, describing it as a huge contribution to the nation’s economy.

Dr. Ernest Nwapa, pioneer Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, noted that NLNG’s leadership in local content development goes back many years, recalling that the company stood out as an early “icon of Nigerian Content” because of its voluntary compliance. He added that NLNG also commissioned the industry’s first skills gap analysis, promptly circulating the findings to guide stakeholders and policymakers on priority capacity-building needs to strengthen in-country value addition.

He also commended the NCDMB for remarkable success in implementation of the NOGICD Act and achievements made so far.

The climax of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding companies and individuals for their contributions to Nigerian Content development in Nigeria. They include NCDMB for Nigerian Content Business Enabler Award; Promat Coating Limited, for Train 7 Award for Local Manufacturing and Procurement; EVOMEC Global Services Limited and ARCO Worldwide Services for Overall Best Nigerian Content Compliant Contractor, technical and non-technical respectively; Seflam SGL Limited, for Nigerian Content Diversity and Inclusion Award, among others.

Group sensitises Lagos market women to clean cooking energy

Michael Simire
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Group sensitises Lagos market women to clean cooking energy

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Earth and Sustainability Initiative (ESI), has intensified its community advocacy campaign to promote clean cooking energy among women in low-income and rural communities across Lagos State.

The NGO organised an outreach programme at Agboju Market on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Lagos.

The ESI Programme Director, Mrs. Ebere Akwuebue, said the organisation has been educating women on the dangers of unsafe cooking practices.

Ebere Akwuebue
ESI Programme Director, Mrs. Ebere Akwuebue

Akwuebue said many households still rely on charcoal, firewood, sawdust and other solid fuels that pose serious health risks and contribute significantly to environmental pollution and climate change.

She said the advocacy aims to simplify information on climate change, highlight health implications of traditional cooking methods, and enlighten women on available cleaner alternatives.

According to her, communities visited by the ESI have expressed strong interest in transitioning to cleaner cooking technologies but are often hindered by limited access and affordability.

Akwuebue said the NGO partnered with Solar Sisters last year to distribute clean cookstoves.

She disclosed that the NGO would explore further collaboration with private and public sector stakeholders to expand access.

She added that the organisation is considering a  pay-as-you-go model to enable women acquire clean cookstoves through small instalment payments.

“This approach can serve as a low-hanging fruit in reducing emissions, building awareness and supporting Nigeria’s drive toward achieving net-zero targets,” she said.

Akwuebue disclosed that ESI currently works directly with community leaders to secure access and mobilise households but hopes to formalise partnerships with relevant government agencies in future engagements.

She said more than 100 women participated in the training, adding that past outreaches in the last three years recorded attendance ranging from 150 to 200 participants per community.

Akwuebue said the clean cookstoves demonstrated during the event use reduced quantities of briquettes or charcoal, are insulated and burn more efficiently than traditional open-fire pots.

Also speaking, Mrs. Margret Ibekwe, who represented the market leadership of the host community, commended the initiative for bringing the sensitisation to grassroots women.

Ibekwe said the demonstration exposed many women to clean cookstoves for the first time, adding that the devices would help reduce smoke pollution and promote healthier cooking environments.

She encouraged women to adopt the technology, saying it would improve household well-being while contributing to safer and cleaner communities.

By Fabian Ekeruche

AfDB, UN agencies raise alarm over climate-driven insecurity in Africa

Michael Simire
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AfDB, UN agencies raise alarm over climate-driven insecurity in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations agencies and the African Union have warned that climate change is accelerating insecurity and fragility across Africa.

The AfDB in a statement on its website, said the institutions called for urgent and coordinated global action to address the growing crisis.

Speaking at a roundtable on the sidelines of COP30 in Belém, climate and security experts said Africa was now facing some of the world’s most severe climate-linked threats.

Al Hamndou Dorsouma
AfDB Manager of Climate Change and Green Growth, Al Hamndou Dorsouma

They said this included terrorism, inter-community clashes and forced displacement.

Dr Al Hamndou Dorsouma, Manager for Climate Change and Green Growth at the AfDB, said the continent was already overwhelmed by the combined burden of climate shocks and insecurity.

“Climate change is amplifying conflict and fragility on the continent.

“In 2024 alone, climate disasters caused 9.8 million new internal displacements in Africa, showing how deeply interconnected climate risks and forced mobility are,” he said.

He said that dwindling rainfall and water shortages had disrupted pastoral migration routes, worsening clashes across regions such as Ethiopia, Darfur, Kenya, Nigeria and the Sahel.

Dorsouma said the AfDB was scaling up support through its Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience, Transition Support Facility, and the Climate Change and Green Growth Framework for 2030.

He added that the Bank’s Climate Action Window, launched in 2023 with about $450 million, had already backed 59 climate projects in fragile countries.

“Every dollar invested in climate adaptation and resilience generates a return of between $2 and $10.

“There is therefore the need for greater investment in early warning systems and adaptation measures,” he said.

Ms. Nazanine Moshiri, Senior Advisor on Climate, Peace and Strategic Partnerships at the Berghof Foundation, emphasised the importance of peace.

She said: “There can be no implementation of climate projects without peace; we cannot fight climate change without peace”.

Abdi Fidar, Director of the Climate Prediction and Applications Centre at IGAD, said many fragile areas do not benefit from climate finance, making it harder to separate the climate security nexus.

Charles Mwangi, Head of Programmes at the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance, emphasised the role of civil society, saying communities closest to the crisis must shape national and continental policy.

The side event, themed “Adapting for Stability – Scaling Partnerships for Peace and Climate Resilience in Africa,” was convened by the UN Office to the African Union (UNOAU).

It was co-hosted by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Union Commission (AUC).

Participants urged governments and development partners to scale up partnerships to build a more climate-resilient and peaceful Africa.

By Lucy Ogalue

Oxfam, partners celebrate five years of climate governance programmes in Nigeria

Michael Simire
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Oxfam, partners celebrate five years of climate governance programmes in Nigeria

Oxfam in Nigeria, on Thursday, November 27, 2025, marked the close-out of its five-year Power of Voices, Fair for All (F4A) and African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) programmes in Nigeria.

Oxfam Country Director, John Makina, at the occasion in Abuja, described the programmes as “a journey of courage, partnership and transformation.”

Makina said that the initiatives demonstrated the power of communities, when equipped, to “speak, act and lead” in governance, climate justice and economic accountability.

John Makina
Oxfam Nigeria Country Director, John Makina

He said that the journey had been more than a development intervention.

“It has been a collective effort to shift power, amplify voices and place citizens where they rightfully belong – at the centre of governance, climate justice and economic accountability in Nigeria,” he said.

Makina highlighted key achievements of the programmes to include cultivation of 15,500 seedlings through community nurseries and distribution of 3,500 clean cooking stoves in Bauchi State to reduce emissions and improve health.

He stated that 256 community volunteers, including persons with disabilities (PWDs), were also trained in briquette production and other nature-based solutions.

“Oxfam also supported the development of new climate laws, unlocked ₦15.5 billion in local climate financing and expanded climate-smart livelihoods, such as bee-keeping, briquette production and tree planting.

“Women beneficiaries reportedly earned between ₦150,000 and ₦300,000 through climate-friendly enterprises.

“The programmes reached more than 10 million Nigerians through the “Follow the Money” media platforms, while civic participation was strengthened through Freedom of Information coalitions, youth civic clubs and improved security commitments from the police,” he said.

Makina added that the initiative also trained 500 journalists in climate reporting, mobilised 664 citizens through the Africa Climate Caravan and empowered PWDs to participate independently in agriculture and community governance.

He expressed appreciation to some implementing partners, such as Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Connected Development (CODE) and BudgIT Foundation, among others, saying that their support and dedication contributed to the success of the initiatives.

The country director also commended the Government of The Netherlands for funding the project.

Speaking on behalf of the partners, CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, said the programmes delivered “transformative reforms, bold advocacy and unprecedented community-led impact” across Nigeria.

Rafsanjani noted that the projects strengthened tax justice campaigns, boosted transparency in the extractive sector, improved compliance with beneficial ownership rules and expanded state-level advocacy platforms.

He said that sustained civil advocacy also helped in shaping the passage of four new tax laws and contributing to government’s approval of over 1 billion dollar for the upgrade of major ports.

Rafsanjani stressed that although donor funding had ended, the responsibility to sustain the gains now rests with Nigerians.

“The work must continue because inequalities, corruption and climate challenges remain,” he said.

While giving an overview of the project, the Programme Manager of Oxfam, Henry Ushie, said it built regulatory frameworks that mobilised communities to be proactive in demanding for the three per cent meant for them by companies.

“They were also empowered to access the money and demand for accountability and transparency on how the money was deployed, ensuring that it was ploughed back into the communities,” Ushie said.

The event featured the launch of a documentary and magazine capturing the project’s milestones.

By Perpetua Onuegbu

UK, Lagos unite to advance disability inclusion, gender equality

Michael Simire
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UK, Lagos unite to advance disability inclusion, gender equality

The British Deputy High Commission and the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, hosted a landmark event in Lagos, spotlighting the importance of disability inclusion and gender equality as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).

Hosted by the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter, the event underscored a shared and unwavering commitment to advancing the rights, dignity, and full participation of persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls across Lagos State and beyond.

Disability Inclusion
L-R: Nigerian Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Implementation Committee, Mr. Tolu Adegbie; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth & Social Development, Pharm. Mrs. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu; British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter; General Manager, Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA), Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal; Founder/Executive Director, Live Abundantly, Dr. Ama Onyerinma; Hon. Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende and Senior Advisor Institutional Funding, Sightsavers, Mrs. Jumoke Alagbe… at the 16 Days of Activism 2025 and International Day of Persons Living with Disabilities, in Lagos

Under the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: A Unified Stand for the Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities,” discussions focused on the unique challenges faced by women and girls with disabilities, including heightened risks of violence and discrimination, while celebrating their resilience and leadership.

British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, said: “The UK is proud to partner with Lagos State in advancing disability inclusion and gender equality. Today’s event is not just dialogue; it is a decisive call to action. Women and girls with disabilities face heightened risks of violence and discrimination, and tackling these challenges demands unwavering collaboration, commitment, and courage. Together, we can create a society where every person, regardless of ability, is empowered to lead and succeed.”

General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, said: “This collaboration with the British High Commission is a significant step forward in our mission to create a truly inclusive and accessible Lagos. By aligning the 16 Days of Activism with the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, we send a powerful message that the rights of women and girls with disabilities are non-negotiable. We are committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring their full participation in all aspects of social, economic, and political life.”

Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunende, said: “Our youth and social development agenda is rooted in inclusion and equality. This partnership with the British High Commission and LASODA sends a clear message: no one should be left behind. Women and girls with disabilities deserve not only protection but opportunities to thrive. Together, we are building systems that dismantle barriers and create a Lagos where every individual can contribute and lead.”

The high-level forum convened government officials, diplomats, disability advocates, civil society organisations, development partners, and media stakeholders. The programme featured keynote addresses, panel discussions on inclusive policies, and powerful testimonies, fostering dialogue on actionable strategies to combat violence and enhance accessibility.

Tukpechi women lead climate action through composting, agroecology

Michael Simire
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Tukpechi women lead climate action through composting, agroecology

The Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), through GUARD Plus Africa Project and the Tukpechi Women’s Association, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, launched a groundbreaking initiative titled “Empowering Women through Composting and Organic Waste Management to Strengthen Foundational Agroecology for Climate Action.”

The pilot project, implemented in the Tukpechi community of the Kuje Area Council, FCT, aims to empower Tukpechi women to lead local composting and organic waste management systems that strengthen and center youth women in climate solutions by transforming organic waste into a resource for soil restoration and sustainable farming.

CSDevNet Initiative
Participants at the “Empowering Women through Composting and Organic Waste Management to Strengthen Foundational Agroecology for Climate Action.” initiative

Addressing an urgent challenge as Abuja rapidly urbanises, the Federal Capital Territory faces rising environmental pressures from unmanaged waste, declining soil fertility, and increasing climate vulnerability. More than 60% of municipal waste is organic, yet most of it is dumped indiscriminately into the environment.

CSDevNet programme officer, Paul Joseph, highlighted the value of embracing locally driven methods of organic waste management, stressing that such practices not only boost crop productivity but also safeguard the community’s biodiversity. He encouraged the women and youth in attendance to take ownership of the initiative, acting as its custodians and champions within Tukpechi.

By doing so, he noted, they could transform the approach into a viable source of livelihood, one that showcases the community’s ingenuity and can be replicated by neighbouring areas seeking sustainable, low-cost solutions to agricultural and environmental challenges.

Mr. Paul Joseph and the CSDevNet Team took the participants through the practical session rooted in community participation. Participatory training sessions demonstrated how to sort organic waste, build compost pits, use sacks for small-scale composting, and raise earthworms for vermicompost. Tools and materials such as compost bins, gloves, and sorting bags were provided to support the women’s work.

A demonstration farm now showcases how compost improves soil structure, boosts moisture retention, and strengthens crops and Local authorities from Kuje Area Council have been engaged to support environmental compliance and integrate the initiative into broader waste management strategies.

Mr. Habilla Zine, the Community Chief, emphasised that, in Tukpechi, women play a central role as stewards of household farming and food production, yet their efforts are often constrained by limited access to climate-smart tools and techniques. This lack of resources, he explained, has made it increasingly challenging for them to preserve soil fertility and adapt to the growing unpredictability of weather patterns.

He noted that the recent training arrived at a crucial moment in the harvest season, when crop residues are abundant and can be transformed into organic fertilisers.

Chief Habilla said:“This new knowledge empowers community members to produce their own soil-enhancing inputs instead of relying on costly chemical fertilizers, easing financial burdens while promoting more sustainable farming practices.”

Mrs. Dorcas Isaac, a farmer in the Tukpechi community, shared an emotional account of how the rising cost of chemical fertilisers had severely affected her cultivation this year, forcing her to reduce the size of her farmland and compromising her harvest. She explained that many women farmers like herself have been struggling to keep up with the escalating prices, which continue to consume a significant portion of their seasonal income.

With visible relief, she expressed deep gratitude for the composting and organic waste management training, noting that it has opened her eyes to a sustainable alternative that allows her to manage her resources more wisely. By learning how to produce organic fertilisers from simple agricultural residues and everyday household waste, Mrs. Isaac said she now feels empowered, more self-reliant, and optimistic about restoring soil fertility without the financial strain that chemical inputs impose.

Additionally, CSDevNet’s intervention revives indigenous knowledge and combines it with modern agroecological practices to provide a low-cost, sustainable solution: community-led composting.

The Tukpechi composting and agroecology initiative shows that climate action begins at home with the everyday practices of women who nurture both land and life. By transforming waste into wealth and restoring the soil through indigenous methods, the project offers a replicable model for communities across the FCT and beyond. It affirms the wisdom that when you empower women, you empower the land and when the land thrives, so does the community.

By Mariam Idris

Govt’s power reforms yielding fruits with grid synchronisation, $2bn investments – Adelabu

Michael Simire
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Govt’s power reforms yielding fruits with grid synchronisation, $2bn investments – Adelabu

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that the Federal Government’s strategic interventions in the power sector are already yielding significant results, culminating in a landmark synchronisation of the Nigerian grid with the wider West African network and attracting over $2 billion in fresh investments.

The Minister disclosed this on Thursday, November 27, 2025, while delivering the keynote address at the PwC’s Annual Power and Utilities Roundtable 2025 in Lagos, themed: “Nigeria’s Multi-Tier Electricity Market: Imperatives for Successful Evolution.”

Chief Adelabu, an alumnus of the consulting firm, framed the reforms as a fundamental shift from a monolithic national market to a “dynamic, multi-tier federation of markets,” driven by the Electricity Act 2023.

Adebayo Adelabu
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian power sector has entered a new phase defined by decentralisation, liberalisation, and a shift from a single national market to a multi-tier, multi-actor electricity ecosystem,” the Minister stated.

He outlined the profound strategic value of this decentralization, noting that it “enhances efficiency and competition, enable state-specific solutions, attract greater investment, and improve reliability.”

He pointed to states like Enugu and Lagos as early beneficiaries where subnational energy strategies are “unlocking new opportunities and shaping local development pathways.”

However, the core of his address was a detailed presentation of the tangible outcomes achieved from the government’s interventions.

“These interventions are already showing results. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, the sector has recorded major milestones,” Chief Adelabu declared, before listing a series of achievements.

A standout milestone was the “first ever successful synchronisation of the Nigerian power grid with the wider West African grid.”

The Minister described this as a “remarkable milestone for West Africa,” noting that the West African Power Pool (WAPP) achieved synchronisation across all 14 member countries for over four hours, marking a major step toward a fully integrated regional electricity market.

On the economic front, the Minister said there had been a 70 percent  increase in the sector’s revenue in 2024 and a reduction of government liability by N700 billion, attributing this to the “commencement of the process to transition the industry towards full commercialisation.”

Further bolstering the sector’s financial health is the successful mobilisation of N700 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to implement the Presidential Metering Initiative, (PMI) aimed at closing the nation’s massive metering gap. This is complemented by a World Bank DISREP fund of $500 million, which together will add millions of new meters to the system.

“Procurement of the meters have commenced,” the Minister confirmed.

He said Operational capacity has also been on the upward swing, with the country’s installed generation capacity rising from 13GW to 14GW. More critically, the nation achieved an all-time generation peak of 5,801.44 MW and a maximum daily energy record of 128,370.75 MWh on March 4, 2025.

Other key results include the activation of 15 States electricity markets, the development of a National Integrated Electricity Policy after 24 years, and the attraction of over $2 billion in fresh investments to extend electricity access.

While acknowledging challenges such as regulatory overlap, weak infrastructure, and liquidity issues, Chief Adelabu assured that the Ministry was proactively addressing them through coordinated engagement, capacity building, and expanded public-private partnerships.

He concluded by asserting that Nigeria’s transition to a multi-tier electricity market “is not optional, it is necessary,” and called on stakeholders to “think boldly, challenge assumptions, and generate solutions” to build a decentralised, competitive, and inclusive power sector for the nation.

Court dismisses EACOP case on procedural grounds, shuts door on impacted communities

Michael Simire
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Court dismisses EACOP case on procedural grounds, shuts door on impacted communities

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) Appellate Division on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, delivered its ruling in a high-stakes case challenging development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).

Through the ruling, the judges upheld the decision by the First Instance Division of the EACJ which, in November 2023, dismissed a case filed by four East African civil society organisations (CSOs) in November 2020, much to the disappointment of the EACOP-Project Affected Persons (PAPs) who viewed the court as having shut the door of justice on them.

The Court ruled that the case filed by Natural Justice (Kenya), Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO) Uganda, Centre for Food and Adequate Living (CEFROHT) Uganda, and the Centre for Strategic Litigation (Tanzania) fell outside the required filing period.

StopEACOP
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) Appellate Division

The CSOs sought to stop the human rights, environmental, and climate impacts or risks associated with the EACOP project.

During Wednesday’s court session, judges at the Appellate Division of the EACJ observed that the First Instance Division did not err in ruling that the case by the CSOs was filed out of time.

The judges, who include Justice Nestor Kayobera, the president of the Appellate Division of the EACJ; Justice Anita Mugeni, the Vice President of the court; and Justice Kathurima M’Inot, agreed with the First Instance Division, noting that the EACJ does not have jurisdiction to hear the main case.

The other judges present in court included Justice Cheboriona Barishaki and Justice Omar Othman Makungu.

The judges however overturned the order issued by the First Instance Division awarding costs to the governments of Uganda and Tanzania, as well as to the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC). The three are the parties against whom the CSOs filed the suit. 

While reading the ruling, Justice Kayobera observed as follows, “We have carefully considered the pleadings of the parties … (and) from the chronology of events [relating to signing of the EACOP agreements], any sane person would adduce that the reference (case filed by the CSOs) … runs afoul of the time limitation provision (in)  the EAC (East African Community) Treaty. The case is hereby dismissed”.

By upholding the ruling of First Instance Division, the judges dismissed the case by the CSOs on a narrow legal technicality in EAC laws which provides that cases filed outside a 60-day time limit are not heard by court.

Worth noting is that key agreements related to the EACOP were made public only years after they were signed. The case by the CSOs was based on EACOP-related agreements such as the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) and Host Government Agreement (HGA).

The judges failed to consider when communities and CSOs actually became aware of the project’s impacts and EACOP agreements, effectively shutting the door on the case without examining any of the evidence.

“We strongly condemn the ruling made by the East African Court of Justice, which has told millions of people across the region that technicalities matter more than their lives, their land, and their future. That is not neutrality nor objectivity. It is a choice in favour of oil companies and the governments that serve them,” said Zaki Mamdoo, StopEACOP Campaign Coordinator.

The StopEACOP Coalition maintains that the decision to dismiss the case on procedural grounds prevents examination of the substantive issues including land compensation disputes, transboundary impacts, environmental impacts including impacts on water sources and protected areas, and the project’s overall alignment with the EAC Treaty on its commitments to sustainable development, the protection of human rights, and the responsible and ethical management of transboundary resources.

“In refusing to hear the harms of EACOP on a technical pretext the legitimacy of this Court now hangs by a thread, and history will have to decide whether it was a forum for justice or simply an office providing cover for corporate plunder,” continued Mamdoo.

Independent bodies, local and international civil society organisations have documented the negative impacts of the controversial EACOP project from irregular land acquisition processes, potential risks to the Lake Victoria basin that over 40 million people depend on to human rights violations.

Similar concerns have just been raised by civil society groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following disastrous pollution recently observed by local communities and subsequently corroborated by a scientific report published by Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), pertaining to cross-border oil developments in the region.

To that end, the CSOs in DRC under the banner “Our Land Without Oil” have taken their government, the government of Uganda, and the Secretary General of the EAC to the EACJ over an ecological disaster, disrupting the livelihoods of fisher communities in Lake Albert and Lake Edward as a result of lake asphyxiation and chemical contamination linked to oil activity in the region.

While the StopEACOP Coalition holds out hope for this legal effort, the dismissal of Wednesday’s case sends a chilling message to all those seeking regional remedies for regional harms: that even the highest court in the Community may refuse to hear evidence when powerful interests are at stake represents a gravely concerning injustice.

“We must insist that the Court, and all regional institutions, do better. We will continue to demand that they live up to their mandates. But this ruling also shows us that we cannot afford the illusion that these institutions will save us.

“Our survival depends on continuing the struggle on every front and with every tool available to us, organising in our communities, confronting financiers and insurers, challenging governments, and building a renewable energy future for our communities,” said Recheal Tugume, an EACOP-impacted community member from Hoima.

Mr. Dickens Kamugisha, the Chief Executive Officer of AFIEGO, stated, “The court’s decision is a setback for regional justice and the protection of vulnerable communities as well as biodiversity and our shared climate. The decision has left over 331 million East Africans at the mercy of greedy corporations, which pillage and destroy important ecosystems that communities depend on. The ruling is a travesty, but we remain determined to use all available strategies to protect people and nature.”

Ms. Elizabeth Kariuki, Hub Director – Nairobi Hub, Natural Justice, noted, “This ruling is devastating for the very people whose lives have been upended by EACOP – the families that lost their land and livelihoods, and the communities watching their ecosystems disappear. Today, the court has closed its doors to them. But we will not give up. We will continue to fight alongside communities to ensure that their suffering is not ignored.”

Mr. Cosmas Yiga, a project affected person from Uganda, added, “We have seen the oil curse. We, the PAPs, have been oppressed and we don’t expect any gain from the oil industry. And, as far as I see, let not any ordinary Ugandan expect anything good from the oil industry, besides oppression. Today is a sad day.”

IPBES begins 2nd Global Assessment in Paris

Michael Simire
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IPBES begins 2nd Global Assessment in Paris

On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at UNESCO in Paris, France welcomed over 100 leading global scientists as they embarked on the start of a vital new and authoritative multi-year assessment of the state of knowledge about global biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people.

The French Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad, Eléonore Caroit, addressed the opening session of the first author meeting of the second global assessment of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

David-Obura
IPBES Chair, Dr. David-Obura

Minister Caroit reaffirmed France’s unwavering commitment to free, rigorous, independent science, as an essential component of the international efforts to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change, especially “at a time when science is under attack and is confronted with disinformation campaigns that undermine climate and environmental action”.

In 2019, the first IPBES Global Assessment alerted the world to the fact that 1 million species of plants and animals are already at risk of extinction, and ranked, for the first time ever, the direct drivers of biodiversity loss, setting a very high bar as one of the most impactful environmental reports ever launched.

IPBES Executive Secretary, Dr. Luthando Dziba, noted “how special this venue is because, in 2019, the IPBES Plenary approved the first Global Assessment here at UNESCO in Paris. That report was groundbreaking in both its reach and impact. It was welcomed by French President Macron at the Élysée Palace on the day it was launched and used that same week to help inform undertakings by the G7 under the French Presidency. The Report went on to underpin the targets set by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, among its many outstanding achievements.”

Minister Caroit thanked IPBES and its expert authors for the major role of IPBES in producing knowledge essential for public decision-making and reiterated that France will continue to actively support the Platform and its scientific community.

Expected to be published in 2028, in time to inform the global stocktaking on the 2030 deadlines of the Sustainable Development Goals, Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement on climate change, and to inform the post-2030 global biodiversity framework, the 2nd IPBES Global Assessment is now underway, with 117 world-leading experts from around the world as authors.

The assessment will assess progress towards the Global Goals and address critical gaps in the first Global Assessment, as well as emerging issues. These gaps and issues, for example, include the need for more comprehensive attention to oceans, and issues related to Indigenous Peoples and local communities will be comprehensively addressed, including multiple worldviews and values.

It will also consider somewhat neglected components of biodiversity and relevant social issues. The second global assessment will assess the different challenges, lessons learned and potential solutions within and among regions in a scientific and balanced manner.

IPBES Chair, Dr. David Obura, concluded: “This assessment brings together experts across the sciences and Indigenous and local knowledge systems, in an ambitious design to help governments and other stakeholders take stock on progress towards goals for 2030 and to shape the post-2030 global agendas on biodiversity and sustainability, to progress the global vision of living in harmony with nature.”

Dangote Group contracts SAIPEM, EIL, others for fertiliser expansion in Nigeria, Ethiopia

Michael Simire
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Dangote Group contracts SAIPEM, EIL, others for fertiliser expansion in Nigeria, Ethiopia

Dangote Group has announced a series of strategic technical partnerships to support the next phase of expansion of its fertiliser operations in Nigeria, as well as the development of new fertiliser plants in Ethiopia. These collaborations, according to the organisation, mark a significant step in its long-term plan to strengthen regional food security, enhance agricultural productivity, and deepen Africa’s position in the global fertiliser market.

Through these strategic partnerships, Dangote Group will increase its urea production capacity in Nigeria from the current three million metric tons to nine million metric tons annually. The existing facility operates two trains with a combined capacity of three million metric tons.

Dangote Group
Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin; President and Chief Executive of DIL, Aliko Dangote; Chief Operating Officer of Saipem’s Energy Carriers Line, Botta Fabrizio; and Managing Director of Saipem India Projects, Villa Stefano, during the signing of a partnership agreement in India on Wednesday, November 26, 2025

The expansion will introduce four additional trains, enabling the Group to meet the rising demand for high quality fertiliser across Africa and global markets.

In addition to the Nigerian expansion, the Group recently held the groundbreaking ceremony for a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia. The facility is designed to produce three million metric tons of urea annually and represents a significant step in Dangote Group’s commitment to strengthening food security and industrial growth across the continent.

To deliver world class facilities and ensure the highest standards of technology, reliability, and operational efficiency, Dangote Group has entered into the following partnership agreements:

Topsoe

Topsoe will provide ammonia technology licensing and complete process design packages for six ammonia plants. Four of these plants will be located in Nigeria and two in Ethiopia. Topsoe is recognised globally for advanced ammonia process technologies that support efficient and environmentally responsible production.

Saipem

Saipem will deliver technology licensing and the full process design package for urea melt units across all six plants. This includes four units in Nigeria and two in Ethiopia. Saipem brings deep engineering expertise and decades of experience in fertiliser production systems.

Thyssenkrupp through UFT

Thyssenkrupp’s UFT division will supply the granulation technology license and complete process design package for granulation units in the six fertiliser plants. This will support the production of premium quality urea granules suited for domestic and international markets.

Engineers India Limited

Engineers India Limited has been appointed as project management consultant and engineering procurement and construction management consultant for the four fertiliser plants being developed by DFFZE in Lekki, Nigeria. Engineers India brings proven competence in large scale industrial engineering and project delivery.

“These partnerships reflect Dangote Group’s commitment to delivering high quality industrial assets that meet the most rigorous global standards. The planned expansion will significantly increase regional urea and ammonia production capacity, create new jobs, support agricultural value chains, and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and across the continent,” submitted the organisation.

Dangote Group adds that it remains dedicated to building resilient industrial capacity, supporting national development priorities, and forging strong global collaborations that advance Africa’s long-term prosperity.

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