The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) joined protesters in Bodo, Rivers State, on Monday to demand accountability from oil giant Shell over what campaigners describe as decades of environmental destruction and health risks linked to oil operations in Ogoniland.

The protest coincided with Shell’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in London, where shareholders gathered to discuss the company’s future strategy and financial performance.

Demonstrators in Bodo said the timing was deliberate — aimed at drawing global attention to the environmental and economic impact of oil spills that have affected the community for years.

Campaigners accused Shell of profiting from crude oil extraction in Bodo while local residents continue to face polluted waterways, damaged farmlands, loss of livelihoods, and worsening health conditions.

Why the Protest Matters

Bodo, an Ogoni community in Rivers State, has long been at the centre of environmental concerns tied to oil exploration in the Niger Delta.

Two major oil spills from Shell-operated pipelines in 2008 severely damaged mangrove forests and aquatic ecosystems in the Bodo Creek area, according to environmental groups and court filings.

The issue later became part of wider concerns documented in the landmark United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland, published in 2011.

The UNEP report found widespread contamination linked to oil operations and warned that benzene — a cancer-causing chemical — was present in groundwater in some Ogoni communities at levels significantly above World Health Organization standards.

The report recommended emergency clean water provision and a long-term environmental restoration programme.

More than a decade later, activists say many recommendations remain poorly implemented.

EDEN Accuses Shell of Failing to Deliver Cleanup

Speaking during the protest, Sebastian Kpalap, head of EDEN’s Port Harcourt office, said the organisation believes Shell has not adequately addressed the environmental damage in Bodo.

 “It is the informed position of EDEN [that] Shell has failed to clean up the spills in Bodo,” he said.

“It is also evident that there is a high death rate in Bodo which could be linked to the destruction wrought on the environment by the operations of Shell.”

Kpalap said the organisation was standing in solidarity with residents to demand “a thorough cleanup of the environment and the urgent commissioning of a comprehensive health audit of the people.”

EDEN Executive Director Chima Williams also criticised delays in providing safe drinking water to affected communities.

“The fact that an emergency measure like provision of portable water has taken more than a decade to deliver speaks volumes of the failure of Shell to take responsibility for the harm it has done to the people,” Williams said.

Community Concerns Over Livelihoods and Health

Residents say decades of oil pollution have affected fishing, farming, and local businesses — the traditional economic backbone of the community.

Environmental advocates argue that prolonged exposure to pollution has also contributed to rising health concerns, though comprehensive public health studies in the area remain limited.

The renewed protest reflects growing frustration among communities in the Niger Delta over the pace of environmental remediation and compensation efforts.

Industry and Public Reactions

Environmental experts say the Bodo case remains one of the most internationally recognised examples of oil pollution in the Niger Delta.

Analysts note that multinational energy companies operating in the region face increasing scrutiny from investors, regulators, and environmental groups over sustainability and corporate responsibility commitments.

What Happens Next?

Campaigners are calling for:

A full environmental cleanup of Bodo Creek

Independent health audits in affected communities

Faster delivery of clean drinking water

Greater transparency from oil companies and regulators

Long-term restoration of damaged ecosystems

The protest adds fresh pressure on Shell as debates continue over environmental accountability and the future of oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.

Shell had not publicly responded to the latest protest at the time of publication.

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has announced plans to host the 11th edition of its Noiseless Lagos Summit, aimed at tackling increasing noise pollution across the state.

The summit will take place on May 12, 2026, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, starting at 9:00 a.m.

Organisers say the event will bring together stakeholders from government, technology, environmental management and urban planning sectors.

Why it matters

Lagos, one of Africa’s fastest-growing megacities, faces persistent noise challenges driven by traffic, construction, nightlife and industrial activity.

LASEPA said the summit, themed “Advancing Sound Control and Technology in an Emerging Smart City,” will focus on practical solutions to reduce noise levels and improve public health.

Excessive noise exposure has been linked to hearing loss, stress and sleep disruption, making it a growing concern for residents.

Focus on technology and policy

According to LASEPA, discussions will centre on how modern technology and stronger policy frameworks can help manage noise pollution more effectively.

“Advancing Sound Control and Technology in an Emerging Smart City.”

The agency said the summit forms part of its broader campaign to strengthen enforcement of environmental regulations and encourage compliance.

Free hearing tests for participants

As part of the event, organisers will offer free hearing tests to attendees, highlighting the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high noise levels.

How to attend

Residents, businesses and stakeholders interested in attending the summit are encouraged to register in advance via the official link:

https://forms.gle/Y7RkWqsXu4Gi1xv46

What’s next

The summit is expected to attract policymakers, environmental experts, tech innovators and members of the public.

LASEPA says insights from the discussions will help shape future policies and enforcement strategies aimed at reducing noise pollution across Lagos.

A professor at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology has called on governments at all levels in Nigeria to urgently enforce environmental protection laws and increase funding for research, warning that pollution is endangering public health and economic growth.

Pollution ‘permeating every aspect of life’

Delivering the university’s 10th inaugural lecture in Okitipupa, Ilemobayo Ifedayo Oguntimehin said pollutants have “permeated virtually every aspect of the environment.”

He warned that contamination now affects air, water and soil, alongside emerging threats such as nanoparticles, PFAS “forever chemicals” and electronic waste.

“Understanding the nature, sources and impacts of pollutants is crucial for developing effective strategies to protect human health and preserve our planet for future generations,” he said.

Why it matters

Environmental experts say pollution remains a major but under-enforced challenge in Nigeria, contributing to health problems, reduced agricultural productivity and economic losses.

Oguntimehin argued that stronger enforcement of environmental laws could reduce these risks while supporting sustainable development.

He also stressed the need for better monitoring systems and nationwide awareness campaigns to change public behaviour.

Key recommendations

The professor outlined several measures aimed at tackling pollution and improving environmental outcomes:

Transition to a circular economy to reduce waste

Create designated zones for auto-mechanic activities

Mandate planting of pollution-tolerant trees

Strengthen watershed protection

Pilot mannitol spraying on tomato farms to boost yields by up to 60%

Expand collaboration between industry and universities

He also urged citizens to stop indiscriminate waste disposal and adopt waste-sorting practices.

“We have the tools and the economic incentive. What we need now is collective will and urgent action,” he added.

Industry and institutional reactions

In his response, OAUSTECH Vice-Chancellor Temi Ologunorisa described the lecture as “remarkable” and urged policymakers to consider its recommendations.

He also called for increased investment in tertiary education to strengthen research and innovation capacity.

The vice-chancellor acknowledged support from the Ondo State Government under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as the late former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Wider perspective

Environmental analysts say Nigeria faces growing pressure to address pollution as urbanisation and industrial activity increase.

Stronger enforcement, they argue, could also improve investor confidence and align Nigeria with global sustainability targets.

What’s next

Stakeholders expect policymakers to review the lecture’s recommendations, particularly around enforcement, research funding and public awareness.

For now, experts say progress will depend on whether authorities translate policy discussions into action.