The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 introduced the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) as a landmark reform to guarantee statutory benefits for oil and gas host communities. Each Settlor (licensed oil and gas company operating in or near host communities) ...

In 2024, we stood alongside communities, governments, civil society, and the private sector to drive real change across the Niger Delta, advancing environmental justice, inclusion, and sustainable development. Key Highlights:

• Over 1,600 women and women-led businesses gained digital skills ...
  
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Crime and violence in the Niger Delta are not just byproducts of poverty but are deeply rooted in political manipulation, economic inequality, and systemic exploitation. For years, the region’s vast oil wealth has contrasted starkly with the harsh realities of ...

We are thrilled to share our Inclusion documentary, which highlights the key achievements of the ‘Deepening Accountability and Strengthening Inclusion’ (DASI) project. Through advocacy engagements, the WEYOU Ambassadors and CSO working groups have been amplifying critical issues and demands as ...

SDN supports those affected by the extractives industry and weak governance. We work with communities and engage with governments, companies and other stakeholders to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to a healthy environment. Our ...

The Digital sector in Nigeria is rapidly growing, driving economic development and creating job opportunities across the country. However, as in many parts of the world, gender inequality persists in the digital economy, leaving women and girls behind.Our latest research, ...

In July 2024, SDN and USAID hosted a pivotal conference focused on mangrove restoration and conservation in Nigeria. Key stakeholders, including government representatives, researchers, and civil society organizations, gathered to discuss the critical role of mangroves in biodiversity, climate resilience, ...

Multiple taxation report is one of the biggest issues for women and young people in Rivers State. Our research found that the current system disproportionately harms them, prompting a call for greater awareness about the impacts on their lives and ...

In the lead-up to the 2023 elections, it is crucial for voters to have a clear understanding of where each candidate stands on issues that matter most to the people of Rivers State. SDN, in collaboration with our partners, hosted ...

As part of our commitment to fostering greater political participation among Nigeria's youth and women, we are excited to share highlights from our recent campus campaign in partnership with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This campaign focused on sensitising university ...

Join us in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) with our special documentary. This documentary brings together our past and present staff, founders, partners, and executives to share the inspiring journey of SDN since its inception in ...

In the Niger Delta in Nigeria, smallholder farmers are grappling with the devastating effects of climate change. As an organisation at the forefront of sustainable development, SDN has implemented this project that teaches farmers climate smart agriculture techniques. By adapting ...

Overview The Environmental Performance Index analyses annual emissions by oil-producing companies operating in the Niger Delta, the oil and gas-producing region of Nigeria. This includes total emissions and comparisons between companies, states, and countries – specifically oil spills and gas flaring ...

Nigeria's digital economy is rapidly growing, and it is crucial that all segments of society, particularly women, are given an equal opportunity to participate and reap its benefits. At SDN, we are committed to bridging the digital gender gap in ...

We are proud to publish SDN annual report for the year 2023. As we reflect on the past year, we are proud to share with you the progress, achievements, and impact of our work in promoting environmental justice, sustainable ...

Overview The Environmental Performance Index analyses annual emissions by oil producing companies operating in the Niger Delta, the oil and gas producing region of Nigeria. This includes total emissions and comparisons between companies, states, and countries. In 2020, Nigeria was ...

This Handbook outlines practical approaches to implement the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) section of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), so that all stakeholders shall benefit from it, and any negative impacts can be mitigated. The Handbook would be a ...

In 2020, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) commenced the Independent Civil Society Monitoring of the Ogoniland Cleanup project with support from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and working in partnership with ...

This research highlights how the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) targeted toward host community development create both opportunities and challenges. The report outlines some of the key concerns under the areas of finance and governance and provides specific ...

In 2020, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) commenced the Independent Civil Society Monitoring of the Ogoniland Cleanup project with support from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and working in partnership with ...

SDN has worked with SOAS University of London (UK) to help map links between artisanal oil refining and other livelihoods, and highlight the ‘benefits’ or incentive structures of those involved in this informal economy.Artisanal oil refining in the Niger Delta ...

This research analyses the possible impacts for Nigeria and the Niger Delta if it continues down the path of increasing gas production. The analysis aims to highlight Nigeria’s position within the current global gas situation. It covers Nigeria’s plans to ...

Biannual progress report July–December 2021 In 2020, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) commenced the Independent Civil Society Monitoring of the Ogoniland Cleanup project with support from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ...

      Women and youth, including persons with disabilities, are underrepresented in politics and governance processes and their priorities are systematically neglected.
The Rivers State Women and Youth Agenda represents the priorities of women, young people and persons with disabilities ...

This page will be updated if and when new information becomes available through INEC Nigeria What is Continuous Voter Registration?
To vote in the 2023 elections, you need to be registered. The only way to do this is to take part ...

SDN has worked with SOAS University of London (UK) to help map links between artisanal oil refining and other livelihoods, and highlight the ‘benefits’ or incentive structures of those involved in this informal economy. In this video, an owner explains ...

This report explores the trends, drivers, and implications of international oil companies (IOCs) selling off assets to Nigerian domestic oil companies (DOCs). Our analysis of investment trends illustrates that divestments have been ongoing for decades, but the rate is rapidly ...

Biannual progress report January–June 2021 In 2020, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) commenced the Independent Civil Society Monitoring of the Ogoniland Cleanup project with support from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ...

Tracking progress
Welcome to our dashboard tracking key indications of progress with HYPREP's clean-up of historic oil spills in Ogoniland, Rivers State in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. This dashboard is updated every 3 months with the most up-to-date data ...

This webinar introduces the launch of our dashboard tracking progress in the clean-up of over 50 years of oil pollution in Ogoniland. We were fortunate to hear from Harry van Dijk, the Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, and Sharon Ikeazor, the ...

Untangling the dependencies that prevent it ending Initiated in June 2009, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has become an enduring institution. Initially it was conceived as a short-term mechanism for de-escalating and defusing the militant insurgency that destabilised the oil-rich ...

In whose interests? The mismanagement of government resources allocated to the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for ex-agitators has created complex and stubborn financial dependencies. This complicates efforts to transition the PAP to an end. These dependences stretch beyond legitimate participants, ...

With recent events such as the #EndSARS, COVID19 lockdown measures, and the Twitter ban rocking Nigeria, we must gauge the effects these events and others have had on civic space in the Niger Delta. Equally we must consider how well ...

This report is based on research in Rivers State, Nigeria, on the status of civic space, and the implications for individuals and organisations seeking to defend and expand civil and political rights. This research was undertaken as part of a ...

A free press is a critical part of democracy and a progressive state. Across Nigeria there is a wealth of talented journalists doing important work to produce high quality independent journalism, holding those in power to account. However, freedom of ...

SDN has worked with SOAS University of London (UK) to help map links between artisanal oil refining and other livelihoods, and highlight the ‘benefits’ or incentive structures of those involved in this informal economy. A wide informal economy has grown ...

The latest iteration of Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was forwarded to the National Assembly in September 2020. It has gone through first reading at both the Senate and House of Representatives but full deliberation and public hearing is expected ...

Each CMAG documents and campaigns around the development priorities of its local community, in order to get them provided e.g. repairing a road, building a new school, or waste removal. It explains what CMAGs are, how they work, and how ...

DevelopND is a community platform that aids the tracking of development projects in communities within the Niger Delta to improve transparency and accountability. "Ever since i started using DevelopND app to track project in my community, i feel confident that ...

This report summarises key findings from a series of research surveys conducted by Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) between September 2017 and January 2020. These surveys were carried out in the Niger Delta states of Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers. The purpose ...

April 2019–September 2019 This report summarises the results of a public perception survey (PPS) carried out by Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) in three Niger Delta States – Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers. The purpose of the PPS is to understand local-level ...

April 2019–September 2019 This report summarises the results of a public perception survey (PPS) carried out by Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) in three Niger Delta States—Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers. The purpose of the PPS is to understand local-level concerns about ...

Improvements to financial transparency in the oil and gas sector are particularly helpful in Nigeria, a country with a large oil industry based in the Niger Delta, but little transparency in how revenues are raised and spent. This report follows ...

In this panel discussion (held on 06.10.2020), panelists explained how they, and their organisations, help civil society and communities affected by the oil and gas industry make use of transparency initiatives to enact changes on the ground in the Niger ...

These educational resources are part of a project that aims to contribute to wider efforts to slow and minimise transmission of Coronavirus Covid-19, and also to mitigate the negative social, economic, and security impacts of both the virus and the response ...

The fifth GbaramatuVoice conference centered around Security, Peace and Development in the Niger Delta, and SDN was delighted to be named "Niger Delta NGO of the year"! SDN's Programme Manager, Florence Kayemba IbokAbas delivered a short lecture on the our ...

The DevelopND.org is a website to list the current status of development projects in the Niger Delta, with public participation and visibility. This helps to hold agencies, such as NDDC, to account for how they spend their budget. For example, ...

Between 2016 – 2017 SDN engaged with locals to design and implement long-lasting solutions to the artisanal oil industry. Alternative livelihoods were the number one priority – so SDN worked with former artisanal oil industry workers to identify and trial ...

SDN partnered with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to train 15 youth from the Ogoni area how to fabricate a range of different cassava processing machinery. Over the training period, they also learned the business management skills required ...

SDN partnered with Pax Viva to demobilise and reintegrate cult gang members back into society. This process has been ongoing in Ogoni land since 2016, and reached 4,700 repentant cultists, with an 80% success rate on reintegration. A small group ...

Between 2016 – 2017 SDN engaged with locals to design and implement long-lasting solutions to the artisanal oil industry. Alternative livelihoods were the number one priority – so SDN worked with former artisanal oil industry workers to identify and trial ...

In 2018 alone, more than 25,000 barrels—4 million litres—of oil were spilled in the Niger Delta, and nearly half a billion cubic feet of gas was flared. But how do the oil companies involved compare?

On 01 July, we talked through ...