Demanding Shell’s Accountability for decades of pollution in Niger Delta

Shell recently sold its on-shore Nigerian subsidiary, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), to the Renaissance Group, a deal struck despite public rejection  by the national authority NUPRC and without any public commitment to clean up the decades of oil pollution or compensate the hundreds of thousands affected by SPDC’s operations.

Despite a letter co-signed by 190 civil society organisations sent in March 2025 demanding clarity, Shell failed to respond. At Shell AGM, we pressed again for answer, but as can be seen and heard in the videos Shell’s responses were incomplete and disappointing, showing no willingness to accept accountability for its environmental legacy in the Niger Delta.

Pollution in the Niger Delta

Dr. Emem Okon presented evidence from Kebekatche public health research and asked about Shell’s plans to remediate the public health impacts on the Niger Delta communities affected by decades of oil pollution and to mitigate future litigation risks.

Shell refused to take responsibility for the pollution, once again blaming oil spills on criminality and sabotage, despite overwhelming counter-evidence linking pollution to Shell’s operational failures.

Shell’s CEO further stated that “It's important to recognize that when we sold our equity interest in the joint venture to Renaissance, Renaissance takes over all of the liabilities”. However, Nigerian law is clear that Shell cannot offload responsibility and the company remains legally obliged to clean up operational pollution. Yet Shell’s own reports show no progress on this.

Currently, Nigerian CSO HEDA is taking SPDC to court, alleging that Shell is using the sale to evade liability for its decades-long environmental and human rights violations.

A call for due diligence

When asked about proper due diligence and compliance with Nigerian law, international human rights law, and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (in which Shell is a board member), Shell’s CEO insisted that “the rigour with which this transaction was conducted was second to none.”

Yet Shell has not disclosed Environmental Evaluation Studies required by Nigerian law nor its assessment of Renaissance'stechnical and financial capacity to clean up pollution and handle decommissioning obligations.

This divestment has been widely condemned by civil society groups in Nigeria and internationally, all calling for proper due diligence and accountability before exit.

Funds for Clean-up

NUPRC rejected Shell plc’s divestment application in 2024, citing concerns over Renaissance's ability to manage the assets and environmental responsibilities. Shell has not disclosed whether adequate funds for the cleanup were set aside, neither the incoming Renaissance Group seems to have those funds. When pressed at the AGM, Shell refused to give more details, citing the “deal is confidential”.

Similarly, Shell gave no information about the $2.5 billion loan made to Renaissance to fund the SPDC shares purchase. Shell CFO Sinead Gorman downplayed the loan as a “normal course of business” and about “us ensuring that we lend money to the company to continue it’s operations”. She follows with “They (Renaissaince) get to pay down loans by utilizing high credit from people who buy the oil, whether that's us or other parties”. 

Demanding a clear response and accountability

In light of Shells’ evasive answers, Both ENDS has formally submitted our questions in writing to Shell Plc and we will be waiting for all the promised clarifications.

Both ENDS stands in unwavering solidarity with the people of the Niger Delta. There can be no responsible exit without clean-up, remediation, and justice.

Read the letter 'Follow-Up on Shell AGM Engagement' (PDF)