HEDA Resource Centre v. Shell Petroleum Development Company, Renaissance African Energy Company, and the Nigerian Government

The Incorporated Trustees of HEDA Resource Centre filed a complaint in March of 2025 against Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Renaissance African Energy Company Limited, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and four others with the Federal High Court of Lagos. The complaint challenges the transfer of an oil exploration license from Shell to Renaissance African Energy Company, as HEDA contends that the “transfer and divestment” of the oil exploration license "may have contravened provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, and related regulations.” The plaintiff contends that the license transfer failed to meet statutory revisions, specifically including conducting and disclosing an Environmental Evaluation Study as regulated under the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulation 2022. The plaintiff contends that the approval of this transaction “could set a dangerous precedent” in terms of climate change and environmental sustainability. HEDA contends that by sections “10 (f), 95 (11) and (15), 235, 237, and 238 of the PIA, 2021, Regulations 4.2.5, 5.2.4, 5.2.5 and 5.4 of the Guidelines for Obtaining Minister’s Consent to Assignment of Interest in Oil and Gas Assets, 2021, Regulations 7 and 8 of the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulation, 2022, Regulations 8(1) and (2), 9(1) and (2) of the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Remediation Regulations, 2024 Regulation 13(1) – (3) of the Gas Flaring, Venting and Methane Emissions (Prevention of Waste and Pollution) Regulations, 2023”, the transfer of the license is unlawful. The court heard the case on May 26, 2025, and proceedings have since begun.