FFF Nigeria Rallies Behind Ogale, Bille Communities in Legal Battle Against Shell

The battle for environmental justice in the Niger Delta has taken a decisive turn as Fridays For Future Nigeria (FFFN) declares its full support for the Ogale and Bille communities in their landmark lawsuit against Shell Petroleum. The case, which begins on February 13, 2025, at the High Court in London, seeks to hold the oil giant accountable for decades of environmental destruction.

In a bold move to amplify the voices of the affected communities, FFFN, in collaboration with Climate Live Nigeria, has announced a peaceful demonstration in Lagos on the same day. The protest aims to shine a global spotlight on the prolonged devastation in the Niger Delta and intensify pressure on Shell to take full responsibility for the damage its operations have inflicted on the region.

Speaking on the development February 10, 2025, Mr Kingsley Odogwu, National Coordinator and Country Representative of FFFN and Climate Live Nigeria, condemned Shell’s handling of the crisis, describing it as a blatant disregard for both human rights and environmental justice.

He said, “The people of the Niger Delta have an inalienable right to a clean and healthy environment, yet Shell has systematically violated this right,” Odogwu stated. “This lawsuit is a critical step in the fight for justice, and we call on the Nigerian government and the international community to stand with the Ogale and Bille communities to ensure Shell is held accountable.”

In a statement E-signed by Mr. Kingsley Odogwu
National Coordinator and Country Representative Fridays For Future Nigeria & Climate Live Nigeria, the stated that For decades, communities in the Niger Delta have borne the brunt of unchecked environmental degradation caused by relentless oil spills, gas flaring, and pollution from multinational corporations. The resulting contamination has poisoned rivers, decimated farmlands, and stripped thousands of their means of livelihood, leaving a legacy of suffering in its wake.

Despite numerous reports and legal proceedings, Shell has yet to take decisive action to remediate the damage or fulfill its obligations. The Ogale and Bille communities insist that beyond acknowledging responsibility, the oil giant must commit to a full-scale cleanup that meets international environmental standards and compensates residents for their losses.

FFFN and Climate Live Nigeria are calling on Nigerians and the global community to rally behind the affected communities, demanding immediate and comprehensive action. Their key demands include:

A full environmental cleanup to internationally recognized standards.
Adequate compensation for losses suffered by residents.
Accountability for decades of environmental harm.
As the legal proceedings unfold in London, the upcoming demonstration in Lagos is expected to draw widespread participation from activists, environmentalists, and concerned citizens who are united in the call for corporate accountability and climate justice. The fight for the Niger Delta is not just a local struggle, it is a global demand for justice, and the time for action is now.