Introduction:

A one-day’s program for HCDTs governance structures to promote gender-responsive decision making for women economic inclusion, through extractive justice and protecting rights of women in extractive sector, was organized, by Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG), in collaboration with Oxfam.

 

Participatory Scope :

Participants, were drawn, among women, from extractive (host) communities, traditional rulers, chiefs, Owhor holders, Nigeria’s Civic Space Protection Alliance (NCSPA), Women Shadow Budget Groups, civil society groups, communities’ associations and grassroots stakeholders, et al.

 

Technical Session / Presentations :

There were technical presentations, through faculty moderation by NDEBUMOG’s Think-Tank, with a robust discussion, critical appraisal, review and analyzation of extractive-value-chains and opportunities for women, which, brought up, concerns and observations below.

 

Concerns and Observations :

• That, although, women are recognized through anthropological history, that guides, existential development. Regrettably, women are relegated economically and politically, especially, in Africa for factors, such as, communal, cultural and religiously, that, has evolved into bureaucratic mindset, that subjugates, women in policies, trades and opportunities.
• That, gender inequality is one of the oldest and most pervasive forms of inequality. Unequal systems of power creates gender discrimination and keeps women in perennial poverty. Around the world, systems underpinning society, including, laws and enforcements, have been built in ways, that, denies women socioeconomic rights and fiscal inclusion. Currently, it is estimated that, globally, about 153 countries, have laws, which; promotes gender discrimination.
• That, stakeholders, are worried, about lopsided composition of over 100 host communities’ development trusts, across oil producing (host) communities, which majorly, favours men, relegating gender-equity and economic prosperity for women. The PIA, was enacted to remedially and politically, restitute injustices to extractive (host) communities. Men and women, suffered such injustices, equally.

Recommendations / Way forward:

From the foregoing, we recommend as follows:

1. Recognizing that, the government, have a duty to promote and protect rights of all citizens, equally. We call on extractive industry regulators to be gender sensitive and pay attention to how host communities’ trusts are structured, particularly, as it concerns, Boards’ constitution, projects implementation and communal structures for projects management, which currently, negates inclusion of women structurally.
2. There are groaning and lamentations across host communities, due to litigations and frustrations, associated with releases of funds that has accrued to host communities, running into millions or billions of naira. We call on the National Assembly’s Committee on Host Communities, to take a critical look on why monies that, should developed host communities, could be held-back at banks, without, releases to host communities, at a time, people are going through aggravated sufferings. An investigative hearing, should be conducted on this, as these huge funds in Banks, should be paid, with accumulated interest (per day) to affected host communities.
3. Citizens are encouraged not to relent in advocating for basic (socio-economic) rights, equitable principles and fundamental safeguards in a democracy. Genuine democracy, does not suppress a civic space.
4. As the build up to Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections gathers steam, we urge politicians to be mindful of their actions. As no future’s political restitution can replace blood of innocent citizens. There is a difference, between participatory democracy and democracy by subjugation.
5. We urge, role models and societal achievers, institutions and think-tanks to create channels and opportunities for mentorship of women in economic justice, livelihood opportunities and self-empowerment. Such, shall ventilate prosperity, social peace and shall contribute to reduction of insecurity in Nigeria, through motherhood-influence.

Commendations:

• Participants commended NDEBUMOG and OXFAM for organizing the event.
• The Organizers, thanked participants for their commitment and charged them to be role models for other women for an equitable society.

  Signed :
– Professor George-Hill Anthony,
CEO, Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG)
– Edidiong Wilson
Participants’ representative
Adopted in Uyo on Thursday, 28th May, 2026.