Niger Delta stakeholders have renewed appeals for comprehensive environmental remediation and a strategic overhaul of youth education to safeguard the region’s future and Nigeria’s long-term stability.

The call came during the 2nd Media Conference of the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) in Warri, Delta State. Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), delivered the keynote address titled “Safeguarding Niger Delta Natural Resources for Future Generations.”

The conference convened media professionals, political leaders—including representatives of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Administrator Dr. Dennis Otuaro and Delta State House Speaker Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor—youth activists, and other stakeholders committed to redefining the Niger Delta narrative beyond oil dependency.

Igali emphasised that while oil and gas have historically defined the region’s global significance, the Niger Delta’s future relies on environmental justice, human capital development, and economic diversification.

“Studies confirm that the Niger Delta is one of the most polluted regions globally. The Federal Government, polluters, and their successors must implement a conscious policy of sustained remediation,” Igali stated. He added that remediation must extend beyond the Ogoni clean-up, which he described as merely a pilot project, to cover the entire region.

Education, according to Igali, is critical for protecting the Niger Delta’s natural wealth and ensuring intergenerational prosperity. He noted that despite the region’s substantial revenue, state governments are underinvesting in education. “In 2025, the six Niger Delta states budgeted ₦546 billion for education out of a combined ₦6.38 trillion. This is grossly inadequate,” he said. He warned that without a well-educated population, the region risks losing its competitive edge.

Former Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President, Udengs Eradiri, highlighted concerns over security, youth unemployment, and the need to align education with marketable skills, particularly as the PAP may wind down. He called for a focus on technical, maritime, aviation, robotics, petrochemical, and port logistics training, linking education directly to employability and sustainable development.