The Niger Delta has been a member of the UNPO since 2020. 

The people of the Niger Delta consist of a number of different ethnic groups which share the geographical region of the Niger Delta in Nigeria. These communities have traditionally depended on the region’s natural environment and have all more recently been affected by extensive oil extraction in the region. The exploitation of the Niger Delta’s natural resources has led to severe environmental degradation, economic marginalization, and social unrest. Despite contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economy, the people of the Niger Delta receive little in return, with their demands for greater control over their land and resources often ignored or met with military force. 

Recognizing and upholding the self-determination rights of the Niger Delta communities is essential for fostering peace and stability in the region. This includes addressing environmental damage through comprehensive remediation efforts, ensuring fair distribution of resources, and allowing local communities to have a say in the governance and economic activities that affect their lives. By respecting these rights, the Nigerian government and international actors can help create a foundation for sustainable development, justice, and long-term peace in the Niger Delta.

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the people of the Niger Delta as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from the Niger Delta. However, the main organization representing the rights of the people of the Niger Delta within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Niger Delta Union. You can read more about the Niger Delta Union here.

The Niger Delta People’s Movement (NDPM) represents a coalition of diverse nations within the Niger Delta region, covering over 70,000 square kilometers in Nigeria’s south-south geopolitical zone. Comprising six states—Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, and Rivers—the region is home to over 20 indigenous ethnicities, each with a rich history of interaction with European traders during both pre- and post-colonial eras. These communities have traditionally depended on the region’s natural environment for their livelihoods, and their cultures are deeply intertwined with the land and its resources.

The Niger Delta has been inhabited for millennia, with human activity dating back over 10,000 years. The region’s strategic location along the Niger River facilitated trade and cultural exchange, giving rise to powerful kingdoms and city-states such as the Nri Kingdom, Benin Kingdom, Ijaw, and Itsekiri states. These societies thrived through trade with European explorers and merchants, particularly during the transatlantic slave trade. However, this period also inflicted profound economic and social damage, contributing to Nigeria’s eventual colonization by the British in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Under British colonial rule, the administrative structures and policies introduced exacerbated ethnic divisions and set the stage for post-independence challenges, particularly in resource allocation. The legacy of colonization, centralized governance, and uneven resource distribution continues to impact Nigeria, underpinning ongoing struggles for power, resources, and equitable development.

The Niger Delta region faces severe challenges, primarily due to the exploitation of its vast oil reserves. While the region generates significant revenue for the Nigerian government, the local communities receive little benefit and suffer from extreme environmental degradation. Oil spills, pollution, and land degradation have devastated the ecosystem, leading to widespread poverty, health crises, and displacement of communities.

The absence of effective governance and rampant corruption has exacerbated these issues, leading to social unrest and the rise of militant groups. Organizations such as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have engaged in armed insurgency and sabotage to demand greater control over local resources, environmental remediation, and socio-economic development. Despite some ceasefires and negotiations, the root causes of conflict—poverty, environmental destruction, and marginalization—remain unresolved.

The Nigerian government’s response to the demands of the Niger Delta communities has often been to deploy military force, rather than engage in meaningful dialogue or provide sustainable solutions. This has further alienated the local population and intensified the cycle of violence and instability in the region.

The plight of the Niger Delta communities underscores the urgent need for their right to self-determination to be respected by all actors involved, including the Nigerian government, multinational corporations, and local businesses seeking to exploit the region’s resources. The systemic marginalization and environmental degradation experienced by the people of the Niger Delta are direct results of the denial of their right to control their land and resources.