Leaked United Nations Documents Reveal Failure of Nigerian Agency in Ogoni Cleanup Despite $1 Billion Investment

A recent leak of United Nations (UN) documents has revealed that despite the allocation of $1 billion to restore the Ogoni region in Rivers State, Nigeria, the federal agency responsible for the cleanup effort failed to meet its objectives for years. This disturbing revelation, shared by the Associated Press (AP), underscores the inability of the Hydrocarbons Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP) to effectively address the environmental catastrophe that continues to plague the area.

The Ogoni site, located near Port Harcourt, was included in a cleanup initiative tracked by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The goal was to transform the area, once devastated by catastrophic oil spills, into fertile farmland, restoring it to its original, verdant state. However, instead of a recovery, the land now resembles a barren “moonscape” devoid of topsoil and suitable for farming, as per the damning reports from the UN. Leaked communications—ranging from emails and letters to Nigerian ministers to official meeting minutes—reveal growing concerns among UN officials, who have labeled the operation a “complete failure.”

The agency tasked with the cleanup, HYPREP, had been responsible for selecting contractors. However, these contractors often lacked the necessary expertise. The UN’s review showed that HYPREP sent soil samples to labs that lacked the equipment to conduct the tests they claimed to perform. Furthermore, auditors seeking to verify the completion of cleanup work were physically obstructed, while sources close to the situation allege that many cleanup companies are owned by politically connected individuals. The evidence points to a systematic mismanagement and corruption that has hindered progress.

The Niger Delta, long a hotbed of crude oil extraction, has suffered from thousands of oil spills since the 1950s. The destruction has caused irreparable harm to the environment, leaving the once-thriving mangroves and farmland in ruins. Following a comprehensive UN survey more than a decade ago, oil companies, including Shell, the largest private oil and gas company in the region, agreed to create a $1 billion cleanup fund. While Shell contributed a significant portion of the fund, the Nigerian government was responsible for managing the resources, with the UN relegated to an advisory capacity.

To oversee the cleanup, the Nigerian government established HYPREP, initially focusing on sites deemed easier to restore, such as the one near Port Harcourt. However, the UN’s confidential investigation in 2023 revealed a grave failure at this location. The site was left in such a deplorable state that it was found to contain seven times more petroleum in the subsoil than the safe limit for human health, and it was stripped of nearly all topsoil. The contractor responsible for this inadequate work had its contract rescinded, according to Nenibarini Zabbey, the current Director of HYPREP, who took office in 2023.

Philip Shekwolo, the head of operations at the time, dismissed the UN’s allegations, branding them as “baseless” and “mischievous.” He maintained that the cleanup efforts had been successful, citing his extensive experience in the field. Yet, UN officials had raised concerns about HYPREP’s incompetence as early as 2021, and a January 2022 review found that over half of the 41 contractors involved in the cleanup had no relevant experience. Furthermore, none of them were deemed capable of handling the most polluted sites.

Several of these contractors were Nigerian construction companies and general merchants, whose websites made no mention of pollution remediation. The UN’s investigation also found that these companies continued to receive contracts for increasingly challenging sites, despite their poor performance. However, Director Zabbey defended the agency, asserting that 16 out of 20 simple sites had been certified as clean by Nigerian regulators and returned to local communities. He emphasized that HYPREP adhered to guidelines when awarding contracts and ensured their contractors were trained by the UN.

Yet, an anonymous whistleblower within the cleanup effort revealed troubling discrepancies. These sources alleged that the test results provided by HYPREP as proof of successful remediation were falsified, as laboratory visits uncovered a lack of proper equipment to carry out the necessary tests. One UK-based laboratory frequently used by HYPREP even admitted that many of its tests throughout 2022 were flawed and unreliable. This revelation was confirmed by the UK’s accreditation service, which suspended the laboratory’s authorization twice. Zabbey acknowledged these issues but assured that the agency now monitors contractors more rigorously and ensures compliance with both Nigerian and UN standards.

The UN also pointed to another significant flaw: contractors were allowed to assess pollution levels at their own sites, effectively giving them a “blank check” to report progress as they saw fit. According to Iyenemi Kakulu, a senior project advisor with the UN, this allowed for unchecked malfeasance in monitoring and progress reporting. Furthermore, the UN warned that there was no oversight in tracking the funds spent on cleanup operations, and internal auditors were regarded as adversaries by those in power.

Zabbey asserted that the situation had improved, noting that audits were now conducted annually, though only one audit letter was provided as evidence. In addition, former Nigerian Environment Minister Sharon Ikeazor, appointed in 2019, claimed that no real remediation had taken place and that many of the companies involved were entirely unqualified. In February 2022, Ikeazor received a letter from Muralee Thummarukudy, a senior UN official, using unusually harsh language to warn her of significant opportunities for malpractice within the contracting process. Ikeazor subsequently removed Shekwolo from his position, citing his close ties to political figures. She also stated that the majority of the cleanup companies were owned by politicians, and those that were competent were sidelined in favor of less qualified contractors.

Despite this, Shekwolo maintained that his only political connections were with the environment ministers under whom he served. He was reinstated to his position after two months, and in 2023, the UN officially ended its partnership with HYPREP, citing the expiration of its consultancy. Zabbey, however, believes that the UN simply shifted its focus elsewhere and was not motivated by concerns of corruption.

In the end, the failure to adequately address the environmental disaster in Ogoniland, despite the substantial financial investment and international oversight, highlights the entrenched corruption and incompetence that continue to undermine meaningful change in the Niger Delta. As the struggle for accountability continues, it remains to be seen whether Nigeria will ever truly honor its commitment to the restoration of this vital region.