Port Harcourt, Nigeria — Multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta — including SPDC/Renaissance Energy, Agip/Oando, and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) — have been accused of unlawfully occupying and utilizing land belonging to host communities without securing proper consent or entering into legal agreements with the rightful landlords.
The allegations were made by Comrade Agi Bestman, the Niger Delta Coordinator for Past MOUs and Land Grabbing Investigations, who revealed that preliminary findings from ongoing investigations indicate that several oil firms acquired and developed lands in the region without official approval or signed documentation from the local landowners.
“The landlords never gave official consent, nor did they sign any lease agreements, terms of settlement, or sale documents,” said Comrade Bestman.
“There is no legally established lessee-lessor relationship between the companies and the original owners. Yet, large-scale operational facilities are currently situated on these lands, obtained through coercion, division, and intimidation.”
Regulatory Failure Cited
Comrade Bestman attributed the situation to systemic regulatory failures, specifically blaming the former Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)—now operating as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)—for not instituting a clear and enforceable land acquisition policy within the oil and gas sector.
“Weak or non-existent regulatory frameworks by DPR/NUPRC created loopholes that allowed these companies to exploit the host landlords,” he noted. “The absence of proper oversight and the disregard for landowners’ rights have directly contributed to this widespread abuse.”
Rising Tensions, Security Implications
He further warned that the continued disregard for the rights of host communities is fostering resentment and disengagement among local stakeholders, especially in efforts to combat oil theft and vandalism.
“When people feel cheated and excluded, they see no reason to protect national assets on their ancestral lands,” Comrade Bestman cautioned.
Ministry Demands Documentation — Oil Companies Fail to Comply
Following submission of investigative findings, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR) formally requested all involved oil companies to provide documented evidence of their land acquisition processes. According to Comrade Bestman, only one company responded with relevant documentation. The others reportedly submitted only operational licenses in lieu of land ownership agreements.
In one case, NLNG claimed its land documentation was lodged with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). However, NMDPRA issued a formal response stating that land records are outside its jurisdiction and that it holds no such documents.
Urgent Call for Accountability and Restitution
Comrade Bestman is now calling for immediate government intervention and full accountability from the oil firms involved. He urged the federal government to enforce retroactive and current land rent payments from 1964 to 2024, and to initiate a comprehensive audit of all land acquisition activities by oil companies in the Niger Delta.
“This is not just a legal matter — it’s a matter of justice and human rights for the people of the Niger Delta. The time has come for the government and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to address these irregularities, enforce compliance, and ensure rightful compensation is paid to the affected landlords.”
As the investigations continue, civil society organizations and host communities are expected to intensify pressure on the federal government and international oversight bodies to hold the implicated companies accountable for years of alleged land injustice.
Interview Source:
Comrade Agi Bestman
Niger Delta Coordinator, Past MOUs & Land Grabbing Investigations
