The Federal Government’s goal of meeting its oil production target for 2025 faces a significant challenge as a protest by the Itsekiri community in the Niger Delta has led to the shutdown of operations at the 28,000-barrel-per-day Escravos oil production facility in Ogidigben. This facility, formerly operated by Shell and now managed by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings, was peacefully occupied on Wednesday morning by Itsekiri men, women, and youths. The protest is in response to what the community perceives as an unjust proposed ward delineation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The protesters are accusing INEC of deliberately reducing the representation of the Itsekiri people in the newly proposed wards for Warri Federal Constituency, while simultaneously increasing the number of wards allocated to other ethnic groups in the region. This perceived inequity has sparked widespread anger, with the protesters warning that additional oil facility shutdowns could follow in the coming days if their concerns are not addressed.
The disruption to operations at the Escravos facility comes at a time when Nigeria is struggling to meet its daily oil production target of 2.06 million barrels per day (b/d) for 2025. The country is also grappling with declining oil revenues due to falling crude oil prices, exacerbated by recent trade tariffs imposed by the United States.
In a move that has raised concerns globally, the Trump administration last week imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 65% on various countries, including Nigeria, which faces a 14% tariff on its exports to the U.S. In response, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, announced that the Federal Government would focus on boosting non-oil revenue to mitigate the impact of these tariffs. He also acknowledged that the oil revenue sector is being hit hard, and he assured that the Economic Management Team (EMT) would meet to assess the likely effects of the 14% tariff on Nigeria’s exports to the U.S.
Despite Nigeria’s current oil production hovering around 1.75 million b/d, its OPEC quota is set at 1.5 million b/d. The ongoing protests in the Niger Delta further complicate the country’s ability to meet its production targets and stabilize oil revenue, which is critical for the nation’s economy.
In a video shared online, protesters were seen chanting and singing outside the Escravos facility, while armed security personnel barricaded the area to prevent access. Prior to the occupation, there had already been signs of unrest, with Itsekiri youths and women marching across the three local government areas (LGAs) of Warri, voicing their opposition to the proposed ward delineation. A peaceful protest was also held at the Olu Palace field, where demonstrators lamented that the new delineation disproportionately favors the Ijaw and Urhobo groups by creating additional wards for them while reducing those allocated to the Itsekiri, even in areas historically recognized as Itsekiri strongholds.
In a related development, leaders of the Okere-Urhobo kingdom in Warri South LGA also rejected INEC’s proposal, arguing that the community was unfairly represented. They contended that their population warranted at least four to six wards, rather than the single ward recommended by INEC.
Tensions are escalating, and the Itsekiri community has vowed to continue their protests, threatening further shutdowns of critical oil and gas installations if INEC does not review and withdraw the ward delineation. The commission had earlier presented a report on the new delineation, mandated by a Supreme Court judgment, and called on the affected ethnic groups to submit their positions on the proposal.
According to the report, the proposed ward distribution is as follows:
- Warri North LGA: 18 wards, with 10 allocated to the Ijaws and 8 to the Itsekiri.
- Warri South-West LGA: 19 wards, with 14 for the Ijaws and 5 for the Itsekiri.
- Warri South LGA: 20 wards, divided between the Urhobo (9), Itsekiri (8), and Ijaw (3).
As the situation unfolds, the Itsekiri community remains steadfast in its opposition, calling for a fairer and more balanced ward delineation that accurately reflects the demographics and historical territories of the region. The Federal Government now faces the challenge of addressing both the political unrest and the critical oil production disruptions in the Niger Delta.
