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Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) was established as a non-governmental not-for-profit organisation in 2004 to support communities in the Niger Delta that live with the day-to-day impacts of the oil and gas industry, weak governance, insecurity, a lack of jobs, and wider environmental and climate challenges.
We work with communities, governments, civil society and the private sector to identify and implement solutions to these challenges, which promote sustainable development and the protection of human rights – including the right to a healthy environment.
Latest resources

Opportunities to improve the Host Community Development Trusts under Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act
This research highlights how the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) targeted toward host community development create both opportunities …
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Report: Independent Monitoring of Ogoniland Clean-up
In 2020, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) commenced the Independent Civil Society …
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Gas Expansion and the Energy Transition in Nigeria and the Niger Delta
This research analyses the possible impacts for Nigeria and the Niger Delta if it continues down the path of increasing …
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Report: Independent Monitoring of the Ogoniland Clean-up
Biannual progress report July–December 2021 In 2020, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) …
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Report: Divestment from the Delta Implications for the Niger Delta as international oil companies exit onshore production
This report explores the trends, drivers, and implications of international oil companies (IOCs) selling off assets to Nigerian domestic oil …
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Report: Independent Monitoring of the Ogoniland Clean-up
Biannual progress report January–June 2021 In 2020, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) …
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Ogoniland clean-up dashboard
Tracking progress Welcome to our dashboard tracking key indications of progress with HYPREP’s clean-up of historic oil spills in Ogoniland, …
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Webinar: Ogoniland clean-up dashboard
This webinar introduces the launch of our dashboard tracking progress in the clean-up of over 50 years of oil pollution …
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Nigeria’s Presidential Amnesty Programme
Untangling the dependencies that prevent it ending Initiated in June 2009, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has become an enduring …
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Brief: Nigeria’s Presidential Amnesty Programme
In whose interests? The mismanagement of government resources allocated to the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for ex-agitators has created complex …
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Defend civic space panel discussion
With recent events such as the #EndSARS, COVID19 lockdown measures, and the Twitter ban rocking Nigeria, we must gauge the …
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Report: The status of civic space in Rivers State
This report is based on research in Rivers State, Nigeria, on the status of civic space, and the implications for …
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Brief: Freedom of the press in the Niger Delta
A free press is a critical part of democracy and a progressive state. Across Nigeria there is a wealth of …
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Report: Public perceptions of security dynamics in the Niger Delta
This report summarises key findings from a series of research surveys conducted by Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) between September 2017 …
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Report 6: Public perceptions of security dynamics & stabilisation interventions in the Niger Delta
April 2019–September 2019 This report summarises the results of a public perception survey (PPS) carried out by Stakeholder Democracy Network …
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Report 5: Public perceptions of security dynamics & stabilisation interventions in the Niger Delta
April 2019–September 2019 This report summarises the results of a public perception survey (PPS) carried out by Stakeholder Democracy Network …
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Report: Oil money for development in Nigeria
Improvements to financial transparency in the oil and gas sector are particularly helpful in Nigeria, a country with a large …
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Panel discussion: How can communities use transparency initiatives to boost accountability?
In this panel discussion (held on 06.10.2020), panelists explained how they, and their organisations, help civil society and communities affected …
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Webinar: Environmental performance index
In 2018 alone, more than 25,000 barrels—4 million litres—of oil were spilled in the Niger Delta, and nearly half a …
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Report: 2018 Nigerian oil industry environmental performance index
This report provides a comparative assessment of the environmental performance of 43 oil companies operating in Nigeria in 2018. This …
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Brief: 2018 Nigerian oil industry environmental performance index
This report provides a comparative assessment of the environmental performance of 43 oil companies operating in Nigeria in 2018. This …
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Report: The Nigerian oil spill compensation regime – obstacles and opportunities
The history of oil pollution in Nigeria is long and traumatic. The Nigerian oil industry, which has produced and exported …
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Report: The Nigerian oil spill compensation regime – a framework for change
This report outlines key actions that would contribute to making the oil spill compensation system in Nigeria fairer and more …
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Policy brief: A leaky system
This brief summarises research on the potential of commercial and independent data to strengthen monitoring of maritime oil-related imports and …
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Webinar: Dirty fuels in Nigeria
This webinar provides an overview of recent research by SDN which indicates low quality, highly toxic fuels are being imported …
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Report: Dirty fuel
This report compares differences in the standards of, and emissions from, official fuels in licensed filling stations, and unofficial fuels …
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Policy brief: Dirty fuel
Official fuel quality regulation must be enforced to stem widespread toxic air quality in Nigeria. Research in the Niger Delta …
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Bayelsa State 2019 governorship election observation assessment
A combination of intimidation, inducement, and violence spanning the electoral period damaged the freedom, fairness, and credibility of the 2019 …
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Report series: Public perceptions of security dynamics & stabilisation interventions in the Niger Delta
For over 15 years, SDN has worked with communities and stakeholders in the Niger Delta, tackling issues related to the …
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Report 4: Public perceptions of security dynamics & stabilisation interventions in the Niger Delta
October 2018-March 2019 This report presents the findings of the latest public perceptions survey (PPS), carried out by SDN in …
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Report: Women’s political participation and representation in the Niger Delta
This report assesses the status and trend of women’s participation in politics as citizens and as holders of political positions …
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Our work in the Niger Delta
Protecting the environment We aim to reduce the negative environmental impact of the oil and gas sector, and demonstrate clean …
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Overall report: Niger Delta Watch 2019
In early 2019, Nigeria held its sixth cycle of elections since its restoration of democracy in 1999. This included two …
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Report 3: Public perceptions of security dynamics and stabilisation interventions in the Niger Delta
March 2018 – September 2018 This report presents the results of a public perceptions survey, carried out by Stakeholder Democracy …
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Pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta
Pipeline surveillance contracts are awarded to private firms by government agencies and oil companies. Surveillance contractors are ostensibly tasked with …
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Report 2: Public Perceptions of Security Dynamics and Stabilisation Interventions in the Niger Delta
October 2017 – March 2018 This report presents the results of a public perceptions survey, carried out by SDN in …
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Building Transparent Polls
Reducing 2019 election risks The 2019 Nigerian elections are now less than three months away. Given the relative success of …
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“More Money, More Problems” – Economic Dynamics of the Artisanal Oil Industry in the Niger Delta Over Five Years
This report calls for an alternative approach to tackle artisanal oil refining in the Niger Delta, based on an analysis …
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Power Sector Review 2018
Nigeria’s power sector is failing. After $2 billion was spent on the nationalised National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) in the …
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Report 1: Public Perceptions of Security Dynamics and Stabilisation Interventions in the Niger Delta
This report presents the results of a public perceptions survey, carried out by SDN in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states …
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BEDC Customer Survey: Developing Mutual Accountability to Tackle Electricity
Research from a survey conducted for customers in selected Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) business districts has found widespread inadequacy …
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Building Bridges: Community-Based Approaches to Tackle Pipeline Vandalism
Pipeline vandalism cost the Nigerian Government, oil-companies and communities an estimated $14bn dollars in 2014. The failure of the Nigerian …
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Nigeria’s fuel subsidy under the spotlight
According to our independent analysis based on average domestic fuel consumption, subsidies claimed by fuel marketers cost Nigeria $2.9bn over the last …
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Report on the Pan Niger Delta Youth Summit
The new Federal Government administration has not yet articulated its vision for the Niger Delta. As a result, the leaders in …
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2023 elections: What have we learned from Rivers State and what needs to be done to protect the polls in the future?
The lead-up to the Nigeria 2023 election was characterised by a growing interest among young people in the election process, largely due to the key …
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Gas Expansion and the Energy Transition in Nigeria and the Niger Delta
This research analyses the possible impacts for Nigeria and the Niger Delta if it continues down the path of increasing gas production. The analysis aims …
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PRESS RELEASE: Niger Delta communities will suffer the impacts of proposed increases to gas production without better safeguards in place
SDN today releases research that highlights the risks associated with increasing gas production in Nigeria. Expansion is expected due to domestic energy plans, and increased …
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Nigeria’s General Election 2023: A Voter’s Guide
As one of the largest democracies in Africa, Nigeria’s 2023 general election marks a crucial moment for Nigerians to exercise their democratic rights. The decision …
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A coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations today called on the incoming administration to disclose its action plans for Nigeria’s gas sector within ninety days of taking office.
Read full press release ➡️ https://t.co/P8rBC8nX5m
@officialABAT @NRGInstitute @Cta_Abj https://t.co/Skiogioobn
Read full press release ➡️ https://t.co/P8rBC8nX5m
@officialABAT @NRGInstitute @Cta_Abj https://t.co/Skiogioobn

This is excellent documentation of the issues that communities in Bayelsa State are facing. How much more evidence do we need to take action? https://t.co/R3n1Ixodgm
was last modified: May 18th, 2023 by Daniel Therkelsen