AGP Executive Report

Oil & Gas Accountability: Environmental groups in Nigeria’s Niger Delta are demanding urgent action to contain an alleged oil wellhead blowout in Uzere, Delta State, saying it has continued since June 27 and is damaging farmlands, aquatic ecosystems and livelihoods. Gas Flaring Costs: New analysis says Nigeria lost about $5.5bn in gas value from routine flaring between 2021 and 2025, with experts warning the real losses are far higher due to methane waste and wider environmental damage. Sahel Water Shift: After decades of drought, parts of the Sahel are seeing rising water tables and recovering lakes and wadis as extreme rains return—bringing both floods and groundwater recharge. Desert Greening in Niger: An Australian “forest maker” approach is credited with helping Niger farmers regrow over 200 million trees by reviving living stumps, roots and buried seeds instead of planting new seedlings. Invasive Plant Alert: A public warning was issued after toxic black henbane was found near Lake Diefenbaker, urging visitors to take care as authorities work to contain and eradicate the weed. Mining & Conflict: ACLED reports jihadist violence in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger is increasingly tied to mining economies, with armed groups using mining areas to fund operations and expand influence. Regional Integration Watch: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans for a single ECO currency in 2027, with a phased rollout and unresolved questions around the start group and the central bank.

Flood Risk Watch: Nigeria’s hydrology agency NIHSA issued a seven-day flood advisory (July 21–27) for 17 states as river levels rise, urging early action in vulnerable communities and facilities. Oil Spill Alarm: Environmental groups demand urgent containment of a long-running Uzere oil wellhead blowout in Delta State, saying farmlands, aquatic life and livelihoods have been hit for weeks. Sahel Security & Mining: ACLED reports jihadist groups increasingly exploit mining economies in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to fund violence and control routes, intensifying pressure on extractive areas. Sahel Climate-Linked Instability: The African Union condemned attacks on Niger and Mali forces (July 17–18), warning terrorism remains a transnational threat needing coordinated regional action. Clean Power Push: Plateau State and REA unveiled a 1.5MW interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid in Pankshin to cut generator dependence and expand access to cleaner electricity. Governance & Rural Needs: Nigeria’s House begins work on a bill to create a National Commission for Rural Infrastructure and Development, aiming to close rural service gaps that affect food and natural-resource areas. Oil Licensing (Niger Delta): NUPRC says 31 firms won 37 oil and gas blocks in the 2025 licensing round, while 13 frontier blocks drew no bids—raising questions about de-risking and future investment.

Sahel Security & Mining: ACLED warns that jihadist groups in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali are increasingly using mines to fund attacks and expand control, with mining-adjacent violence tied to groups like JNIM and the Islamic State. Regional Sports & Infrastructure: CAF accepted a joint declaration of interest from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to bid for AFCON 2032, a move that could boost regional stadium and transport investment despite insecurity. Flood Risk in Niger: NIHSA issued a seven-day advisory for medium flood risk (July 21–27) across 17 states, including Niger, after river levels exceeded watch and warning thresholds. Clean Power Push: Plateau’s Pankshin will get a 1.5MW interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid under the REA programme, aiming to cut generator dependence and support local businesses. Food Affordability: A new SBM Intelligence survey says the cost of preparing jollof rice rose 14.6% (to N29,578 in June 2026), reflecting pressure on household food budgets. Oil Governance & Environment: Nigeria’s House of Reps ordered probes into the Mining Marshals after allegations of misconduct and misuse of funds, raising questions about how illegal mining is policed.

Oil Licensing & Reserves: Nigeria’s upstream regulator (NUPRC) says 31 firms won 37 oil and gas blocks in the 2025 licensing round, while 13 frontier-basin blocks drew no bids and will be returned for more de-risking; winners must pay signature bonuses and meet Petroleum Industry Act conditions. Flood Risk in Niger & Neighbours: Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency issues a 7-day flood advisory for 17 states (including Niger), citing rising river levels and warning of localized flooding, with Bauchi flagged as most exposed. Niger Delta Pollution Debate: Leaders at the “Sweet Crude Dialogue” in Yenagoa revisit 70 years of oil impacts, citing massive spills and calling for justice and better environmental protection. Climate/Nature Accountability: Greenpeace takes Dutch courts to push meat giant JBS to disclose how its $6bn expansion fits climate, nature and human-rights duties. Energy Corridor Push: ECOWAS leaders back the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline framework, aiming to move Nigerian gas to Morocco via a ~6,900km route. Food & Everyday Costs: A new “Jollof Index” reports cooking prices up sharply across Nigeria, showing how inflation is squeezing households.

Flood Preparedness in Niger State: Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa have stepped up rainy-season readiness after forecasts flagged severe flooding risk, with drainage works, emergency operations centres, community sensitisation and mapping of vulnerable areas—though concerns remain about how ecological funds are used. Communal Peace Effort: Niger State Governor Umaru Bago ordered a Peace and Reconciliation Committee after clashes in Borgu Emirate, aiming to investigate root causes and prevent repeat violence. Youth Migration Alarm: Stakeholders in Maiduguri warn that unemployment and hardship are pushing Borno youths to migrate to Algeria, Chad and Niger Republic, raising security fears if action isn’t taken. Oil & Pollution Pressure: Nigeria’s House of Representatives urged use of the Ecological Fund to stop shoreline erosion threatening a Bayelsa petrochemical project, highlighting how environmental damage can derail local industry. Regional Energy Deal: ECOWAS backers signed support for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline to move Nigerian gas toward Morocco, linking landlocked Sahel states and opening wider market access. ECOWAS ECO Currency: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO single currency in 2027, with qualifying states adopting first.

Oil & Local Tech: Former President Goodluck Jonathan urged Nigeria’s oil industry to drive technological development by partnering with government to build local technical capacity and manufacture needed equipment, linking oil investment to broader diversification. Regional Currency: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO single currency in 2027, with qualifying states first and others supported later, positioning it as a step for deeper integration and resilient growth. Sahel Food Security & Water: Oman and Niger held talks to expand cooperation in agriculture and water resources, focusing on modern farming tech, water management, and sustainable livestock and investment partnerships to strengthen food security. Flood Risk in Niger: Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states stepped up rainy-season preparedness with drainage works, emergency centres, community sensitisation and mapping of vulnerable areas amid warnings of severe flooding. Upstream Licensing Push: Nigeria’s NUPRC opened the commercial phase of the 2025 oil and gas licensing round, with 143 firms competing for 50 blocks across basins including the Niger Delta, as investor interest grows. Niger Delta Environment Link: Jonathan again stressed that lasting Niger Delta peace depends on addressing environmental degradation and decades of neglect.

Flood Preparedness: Nigeria’s NEMA warns flood-prone communities to relocate to safer ground as heavy rains intensify, urging people not to drive or walk through floodwaters and to stop dumping refuse into drains; Emergency Alerts: A federal flood alert puts 28 states plus FCT on high risk, naming major cities like Lagos and riverine areas as vulnerable to flash floods and coastal inundation; Sahel Security & Environment: Niger’s junta reports 16 soldiers killed in a militant attack near the Mali/Burkina border, underscoring how insecurity keeps spreading across the Sahel and threatens stability; Regional Energy (Gas): ECOWAS leaders in Freetown back the Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and Senegal’s Bassirou Faye takes ECOWAS chair, while Togo joins talks to expand an integrated regional gas market; Food Security Talks: Oman and Niger agree to deepen cooperation on agriculture and water resources to support sustainable food security; Road Safety: FRSC begins “Operation Sauka Lafiya” in Niger to crack down on speeding, overloading, phone use and unlicensed driving.

ECOWAS Regional Push: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye elected ECOWAS Chairman, taking over as the bloc faces security and political strain. Sahel Security: Niger reported 16 soldiers killed in a militant attack in Tera (Tillaberi), with sweeps ongoing near the Mali and Burkina Faso borders. Flood Risk in Niger & Region: Nigeria’s environment authorities issued a high flood alert for 28 states and FCT, warning of heavy rains, saturated soils and river overflow—Niger State is listed among critical-risk areas. Climate Warning: Experts urge fast preparation for El Niño, warning of heatwaves, floods and droughts that could hit food security and safety hardest. Energy & Environment Link: ECOWAS endorsed the Nigeria–Morocco gas pipeline (about $25bn), but construction depends on financing and transit rules—raising big questions for regional energy, land use and emissions. Health Coverage: Niger’s NiCare says it has secured the First Lady’s commitment to expand state health insurance, aiming to enroll more vulnerable residents. Oil Theft Crackdown: Nigeria’s Navy says Operation DELTA SENTINEL recovered millions of litres of stolen crude and dismantled illegal refining sites, supporting cleaner, safer operations.

APC Reconciliation in Niger State: Information Minister Mohammed Idris urged Niger APC members to embrace unity and reconciliation at a stakeholders’ meeting in Minna, saying internal cohesion strengthens democracy. Flood Risk Warning: NEMA says heavy rains could trigger widespread flooding from July 19 to August 1, urging residents in at-risk states (including Niger) to relocate early and avoid floodwaters and blocked drains. Niger Delta Oil Theft Crackdown: The Nigerian Navy says Operation DELTA SENTINEL helped push June crude output to 1.735m bpd (104% of OPEC quota) after recovering 4.7m litres of stolen crude and dismantling dozens of illegal refining sites. Railway Asset Protection: Nigeria Railway Corporation pledged tighter collaboration with police after recovering about ₦200m in stolen railway materials and arresting suspected vandals. Livestock Disease Alert: Authorities in Suluq closed livestock markets after foot-and-mouth concerns, reporting dozens of cattle deaths and ramping up disinfection while awaiting stronger control measures. El Niño Preparedness: Climate experts warn El Niño could intensify heat, floods and drought, urging early action to protect food and human safety.

Flood Preparedness in Focus: NEMA DG Zubaida Umar warns flood-prone communities to relocate to higher ground as heavy rains intensify, urging people to avoid walking/driving through floodwaters and to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels. Livestock Disease Alert: In Suluq, authorities shut livestock markets in Suluq and Qaminis after suspected foot-and-mouth disease; veterinary teams are sampling after reported cattle deaths and a disinfection drive begins. Animal Health Policy: Nigeria’s federal government says it will overhaul its PPR (goat plague) control plan to eradicate the disease by 2030, with stronger monitoring, vaccination, and ECOWAS coordination. Oil, Security and Environment: The Nigerian Navy’s anti-oil-theft operations helped push June crude output to 1.735m bpd, while recovered stolen products and dismantled illegal refining sites highlight ongoing pressure on Niger Delta ecosystems. Rail Protection: NRC pledges deeper police partnership after recovering about ₦200m in stolen railway materials and arresting suspected vandals. Niger Health Insurance Push: Niger State’s NiCare seeks First Lady-led enrolment to expand health coverage, targeting more vulnerable residents.

West Africa Displacement: UNHCR says forced displacement and statelessness across West and Central Africa are nearing 20 million, with Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Cameroon driving most internal displacement. Sahel Pressure: IOM data flags the Central Sahel as the epicenter, while projections warn the wider Sahel Plus could hit 5.7 million displaced and stateless people by end-2026. Rail Security for Niger’s Neighbours: Nigeria’s NRC says it will deepen police partnership to protect railway tracks after recovering ₦200m in stolen materials and arresting suspected vandals. Health Coverage Push: Niger State’s NiCare seeks First Lady-led enrolment to add 65,000 vulnerable residents into health insurance, aiming at faster Universal Health Coverage. Animal Health & Food Security: Nigeria plans an overhaul to eradicate PPR by 2030, and a new foot-and-mouth scare in Sulouq has triggered market closures and disinfection. Flood Risk: NiMet forecasts thunderstorms and heavy rain with high flooding risk in parts of Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. Climate Warning: El Niño is strengthening, with experts urging early action as heat, floods and droughts threaten food and safety.

Niger Delta Ecology & Security: Nigeria’s Tantita pipeline surveillance is credited with helping protect oil infrastructure while supporting ecological recovery, as the push for a $1trn economy leans on steadier operations and safer assets. Rail Protection: The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will deepen collaboration with police to curb railway vandalism after three suspects were arrested and about ₦200m in stolen materials recovered. Oil Pollution Accountability: A Nigerian court dismissed a monarch’s bid to stop Shell’s onshore asset divestment, with the judge citing the case as premature and statute-barred over decades of spills and flaring. Climate Risk: Experts urge fast El Niño early action as extreme heat, droughts and floods threaten food and human safety across multiple regions. Animal Health & Livelihoods: Nigeria is overhauling its PPR (goat plague) control plan to eradicate the disease by 2030, while authorities also report a new foot-and-mouth outbreak in Sulouq with markets closed and disinfection underway. Flood Watch: NiMet forecasts thunderstorms and heavy rain with high flood risk in parts of Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

Niger Delta Environment & Justice: A Nigerian court dismissed a suit seeking to stop Shell’s planned divestment of onshore assets, with the judge citing that the claims were “premature” and statute-barred—despite allegations of decades of oil spills and gas flaring that damaged farming and fishing livelihoods. Animal Health & Livestock Security: Nigeria says its Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) plan needs a full overhaul to reach eradication by 2030, including stronger surveillance, vaccination, and ECOWAS coordination. Disease Outbreak Alert: In Sulouq, authorities declared a field emergency after a suspected foot-and-mouth disease outbreak; markets were shut and disinfection launched as veterinary teams test samples after cattle deaths. Climate & Disaster Risk: NiMet forecasts thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across Nigeria, warning of high flood risk in parts of Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. El Niño Watch: Global agencies warn El Niño is strengthening and could bring heat, floods and droughts, hitting food security and safety in multiple regions. Wildlife Conservation: Scientists report only about 354 West African leopards remain, with numbers rising in one park but a worrying gap elsewhere. Niger Delta Livelihoods: Nigeria launched a $500m agriculture fund for the Niger Delta, targeting aquaculture, palm oil and livestock to cut dependence on oil. Governance & Regional Security: Nigeria urged ECOWAS to keep dialogue with the Alliance of Sahel States to tackle democratic instability and shared security challenges.

Flood Risk Alerts: Nigeria’s hydrology agency issued flood warnings for 14 states as heavy rains intensify, flagging medium flood risk and urging communities to clear drainage, relocate from river channels, and prepare for impacts on schools, clinics and markets. Erosion & Climate Resilience in Niger: Niger State opened bids to reclaim and restore the Mokwa gully erosion site after the May 2025 disaster, expanding the planned intervention length and redesigning it to better handle stormwater flow. Food Security & Waste: A report highlights Nigeria’s “food security paradox,” where about 38 million tonnes of farm produce are lost post-harvest, driven by poor packaging, heat and long transport times—fueling malnutrition risks. Health & Access: Community pharmacists in Nigeria are urging inclusion in the NHIA scheme to widen affordable medicine access and strengthen universal health coverage. Green Community Action: Hyundai’s Forest Run 2026 will plant trees in Niger (Sahel) alongside an eco-friendly running drive, linking local greening to cleaner air goals. Energy & Environment: Nigeria’s upstream regulator set July 21 to reveal winners for 50 oil and gas blocks, with the round aimed at boosting gas development and investment.

Flood Risk Watch: Nigeria’s Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a flood alert for 14 states—Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger and Plateau—warning of medium flood risk and urging communities to clear drainage, relocate from river channels, and avoid flooded roads. Erosion Recovery in Niger: Niger State’s ACReSAL project has opened bids to reclaim and restore the Mokwa gully erosion site after the May 2025 disaster, expanding the intervention from 5.7km to about 17km and calling for updated engineering and environmental redesign. Lake Chad Crisis: The Environment Minister says Lake Chad has receded by 91%, warning of a major environmental and food crisis that threatens livelihoods and displacement, and calling for stronger international collaboration to restore the lake. Locust Threat: UN/FAO reports show a desert locust upsurge in Northwest Africa, with Morocco the main hotspot and Algeria, Mauritania and Sahel countries preparing for possible summer migrations. Sahel Climate-Security Link: Pakistan urged the UN Security Council to tackle terrorism in the West Africa Sahel while addressing root causes—highlighting how instability can worsen environmental and humanitarian pressures. Green Action (Niger): Hyundai’s Forest Run 2026 plans to plant about 100,000 trees in Niger as part of its eco-friendly running campaign.

Flood Risk & Early Warnings: Nigeria issued a flood alert for 14 states as heavy downpours intensify, urging people in river and dam-adjacent areas to relocate, clear drains and avoid flooded roads. Disaster Recovery in Niger: Niger State’s ACReSAL opened bids to reclaim and restore the Mokwa gully erosion site after the May 2025 flood, with the project scope expanded and redesigned following the disaster. Lake Chad Crisis: The Environment Minister warned that Lake Chad has receded by 91%, threatening livelihoods, food security and displacement, and called for stronger international action to restore the basin. Sahel Threats: North Africa and the Sahel face a locust upsurge, with Morocco under the highest pressure as swarms could spread. Niger Delta Food Push: Vice President Shettima launched a $500m Niger Delta Agricultural Investment Fund to shift the region from oil dependence to agribusiness and jobs. Oil & Environment: Improved pipeline surveillance is credited with boosting Nigeria’s crude output and reducing theft, while stakeholders also warn that the rush for critical minerals could worsen insecurity and deforestation if governance is weak. Community Climate Action: Hyundai opened registration for Forest Run 2026, aiming to plant about 100,000 trees in Niger alongside its eco-friendly run. Weather Outlook: NiMet forecast three days of cloudiness, thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall across Nigeria, with flooding risk in parts of the south.