The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to begin full clean-up of polluted Ijaw communities across the Niger Delta, warning that failure to act will lead to a total shutdown of oil and gas facilities in Ijaw territories.
The decision was announced at the IYC National Convention held in Obuama Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, where over 100,000 Ijaw youths from across the Niger Delta gathered.
In a communiqué released at the end of the convention, the IYC condemned decades of oil pollution, environmental degradation, and ecological destruction, describing them as a direct threat to Ijaw livelihoods, health, and future.
The group stated that if the Federal Government does not show clear and visible action within 60 days, Ijaw youths will collectively halt oil and gas operations in their areas, adopting the “no remediation, no oil exploration” approach earlier applied in Ogoniland.
To prepare for possible action, the IYC announced the creation of a mobilisation and sensitisation committee to visit Ijaw communities and organise residents for coordinated resistance.
The council also called on the Federal Government to remove the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarin Zabbey, and the Minister of Environment, accusing them of failing to protect Ijaw interests.
On politics, the convention passed a vote of confidence on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, endorsing him for a second term, and also declared full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. The IYC said its support for President Tinubu was based on his role in ensuring peace and stability in Rivers State.
The group stressed that it would continue to support leaders who protect Ijaw interests, while withdrawing support from any leadership that works against the Ijaw people.
The convention also resolved to convene an elective national convention to usher in a new leadership in line with the IYC constitution.
The Ijaw Youth Council concluded by reaffirming that Ijaw land and resources can no longer be exploited at the cost of Ijaw lives.
