The Policy Brief emphasizes the urgent need to review and update the Cross River State Forestry Law to address continued forest depletion, climate pressures, and institutional weaknesses, with recommendations aimed at improving enforcement, integrating climate priorities, expanding ecotourism opportunities, and strengthening community involvement in forest management. Download Here

  Since its return to democracy in 1999, Nigeria has seen a steady shrinking of the civic space through actions of the federal government. However, state governments are highly complicit in abuses, sometimes even more than the national government. This report examines civic space infringements by state governments in the Niger Delta, a phenomenon that is clearly under-reported.…

The level of forest degradation in Cross River State has reached unprecedented heights, making it the most alarming cases of ongoing deforestation in the world. This report examines the factors driving deforestation in the state, how deforestation undermines efforts to address climate change, how it severely threatens wildlife and drives endangered wildlife species to extinction. It…

The Petroleum Industry Act, passed in 2021, has been hailed as critical legislation for tackling long-standing development difficulties in Nigeria's oil-producing areas. The 'Host Communities Development' chapter provides a framework for benefit sharing and development planning. While the objectives appear to be laudable and encouraging on the surface, some elements have the potential to produce dissatisfaction and…

This photobook chronicles the hardships and challenges of Niger Delta communities devastated by the 2022 floods caused by climate change. Since 2012, these communities have been ravaged by yearly floods, which have resulted in deaths, displacements, destruction of homes, and disruption of livelihoods. Unfortunately, governments at the national and sub-national levels have been slow to establish…

De This new report by We the People examines the true motive behind the divestment of International Oil Companies from Nigeria's Niger Delta region, where they have operated for over six decades. It contends that permitting IOCs that have damaged the environment, destroyed livelihoods, and poisoned indigenous people to simply walk away without first cleaning up…

The Rivers state House of Assembly is currently considering a CSO Registration Bill. The Bill among others requires CSOs operating in, or that have any dealings in Rivers state, to register with a ‘Registry’ of the state government, embedded in the Rivers state Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. The head of this agency will be…

This report is the outcome of an investigation into the drivers of deforestation in the largest remaining rainforest in Nigeria, located in Cross River state. It shows how the actions and policies of the state government, as well as the activities of non-state actors have combined to result in what may well be the fastest spate…

  On June 23, 2022, frontline civil society organizations, socio-cultural groups, academics, traditional rulers and individuals drawn from the Niger Delta states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers gathered at the city of Uyo in Akwa Ibom state to discuss the socio ecological issues that currently confront the region…

Every month, billions of naira is allocated to the 36 states & 774 local government areas in Nigeria. State & LGA officials collect them in trust for their citizens. This Report shows what each state & LGA got in 2017 & how fiscally viable they are.  

Have you ever wondered why states of the Niger Delta are poor despite huge crude oil resource earnings? This Report by HOMEF & the Research Team of We the People examines this & provides exciting recommendations for moving the region Beyond Oil