As the world’s eyes turn to Baku, Azerbaijan, for the COP29 climate conference, a parallel narrative unfolds in Nigeria, where the memory of the Ogoni 9 activists looms large over the nation’s environmental and human rights discourse. The convergence of these two events—COP29 and the remembrance of the Ogoni 9—presents a poignant juxtaposition of global environmental diplomacy and local grassroots activism.

The Ogoni 9 were a group of activists from the Ogoni region of Nigeria who, in the early 1990s, stood against the environmental devastation wrought by oil extraction activities, primarily by the Royal Dutch Shell company. Their struggle was met with the harshest of responses, culminating in their execution on November 10, 1995, under the military regime of General Sani Abacha.

As the decades tick on, it can be seen that the legacy of the Ogoni 9 is inseparable from the figure of Ken Saro-Wiwa, a writer, television producer, and environmental activist who founded the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) in 1990.

Through MOSOP, Saro-Wiwa and his colleagues campaigned for the rights of the Ogoni people and sought reparations for the ecological harm inflicted upon their land. Their efforts highlighted the broader implications of environmental degradation, including the loss of livelihoods and the violation of basic human rights.

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Fast forward to November 12, 2024, and Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu issues a press statement commemorating the Ogoni 9 and recommitting to sustainable development for all Nigerians. This gesture, coinciding with the COP29 conference, signals a renewed focus on addressing historical grievances and fostering a future where environmental justice is a cornerstone of national policy.

As we remember the Ogoni Martyrs, let us honour their legacy by committing to a future where such injustices are no longer tolerated and where the voices of all Nigerians are heard and respected, reads part of President Tinubu’s comment honouring the nine.

He emphasises the need for dialogue, reconciliation, and healing among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities. By invoking the memory of the Ogoni 9, he underscores the importance of learning from past injustices to shape a more equitable and sustainable future.

The president’s message aligns with the themes of COP29, where enhancing ambition and enabling action are central to the global climate agenda. That is particularly important now living in 2024 which the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) think is on track to become the warmest year on record after an extended streak of exceptionally high monthly global mean temperatures.

The juxtaposition of COP29 and the remembrance of the Ogoni 9 serves as a reminder that environmental issues are deeply intertwined with social and political realities.

While international conferences like COP29 aim to forge consensus on climate action, the story of the Ogoni 9 illustrates the ongoing challenges faced by communities at the frontlines of environmental conflicts.

As Nigeria participates in COP29, the nation carries the weight of its history—a history marked by the struggle for environmental justice as epitomised by the Ogoni 9.

We honour their memory by recognising the sacrifices made and pledging to strive for a future characterised by peace, justice, and sustainable development for all communities, particularly those in the Niger Delta.

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Meiza Nigeria