Youths in Ibeno Protest, Demand Shift to Green Energy Funding from Oil Firms

Youths from Ibeno Local Government Area staged a ‘Die-In’ protest on Tuesday, demanding that oil and gas companies operating in the area cease funding environmentally harmful activities and instead invest in renewable energy and agroecology.

The protest, held at the Ibeno LGA headquarters, was organized by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with Clement Isong Foundation as part of the 2025 Global Week of Climate Action. Ibeno community, a major oil-producing area, has experienced significant environmental degradation from decades of extractive activities.

Kofi Asuquo, President of the Ibeno Youth Advocacy Network (IYAN) in, articulating the protesters’ demands said: “We are telling them instead of funding crisis, they should fund the future. Their funding should be tailored towards renewable energy, agroecology, and the inclusion of youths in their policy making.”

Protesters emphasized the severe impact of gas flaring on local health and livelihoods, insisting that community members must be included in energy transition discussions. “Whatever they do, they should carry the mindset of our people. That’s what we are agitating for in a peaceful way,” Asuquo added.

Friday Ogezi of ActionAid Nigeria explained the protest’s objective was to advocate for improved policies, financing, and sustainable alternatives as Nigeria transitions from fossil fuels. The organization has established a community hub to provide green skills training for local youths.

“We call it just transition. Now that we are transitioning, let’s not create more problems for the people. Let it be fair, let it be inclusive, let the people be involved,” Ogezi stated.

Dr. Caroline Gordian, Project Lead for Clement Isong Foundation, highlighted accountability concerns, noting that oil companies often divest without proper decommissioning of sites, leading to persistent environmental damage.

“There is that need for government and relevant stakeholders to take action. They should be able to fund just transition. Young people should be trained, women who are into fishing and farming should be trained so that they can transit,” Dr. Gordian affirmed.