Background to UNEP’s Engagement

In July 2006, UNEP received a formal request from the Federal Government of Nigeria to carry out a comprehensive environmental assessment of the Ogoni region, and recommend suitable remediation actions based upon its findings.

The request to UNEP was made as part of a broader government-led peace and reconciliation initiative in the region, and within the Programme Framework for Improving Human Development in the Niger Delta, led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Discussions were subsequently held in Nigeria to fully understand the context of the request, as well as the expectations of the various stakeholders.

Local communities and partners have agreed to support UNEP – as an independent international agency – to undertake the assessment in Ogoniland, which is financed by funds made available to the Government by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).