By Edu Abade
The Community Development and Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) has disclosed that in the last couple of years, it has embarked on several projects including the School of Governance (SoG), Kick Total Out of Africa: A Community-Led Movement for Justice and The Million Tree Project: Growing a Greener Future, among others to salvage the environment of the neglected and sinking oil producing communities of Delta State.
Executive Director of CODAF, Benin Richard, lamented that for years, the oil-bearing communities of Delta State have lived with a difficult paradox: immense natural wealth beneath their soil, yet very little to show for it above ground.
Giving details of the projects in the group’s monthly bulletin, Benin said, “It was in response to this long-standing imbalance that the project “Tackling Community Development & Environmental Injustice in Delta State’s Oil-Bearing Communities” was conceived.
“Launched five years ago by CODAF, the initiative set out with a clear and urgent mission to confront the chronic underdevelopment and environmental degradation that have plagued small petroleum-producing communities despite decades of extraction.
“While oil has flowed steadily from these lands, basic infrastructure, social investment, and environmental protection have remained painfully absent. The project aimed to change that narrative by empowering communities with knowledge, viable voice and tools for accountability.”
CODAF School of Governance: The School of Governance (SoG), established in 2015, is an annual initiative designed to expand inclusive participation in decision-making processes. The project focuses on equipping individuals and communities with the knowledge, tools, and capacity required to contribute meaningfully to governance.
It promotes participatory models by integrating human rights frameworks and social approaches such as rights-based, bottom-up, and community-driven methodologies. A key emphasis is placed on leveraging technological tools to amplify community narratives and support knowledge-building.
Since its inception, the School of Governance has made significant progress. Notably, in 2024, in collaboration with the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun (FUPRE) the initiative developed the first waste management course curriculum, which led to the establishment of the Zero Waste Campus Campaign. Additionally, the programme has successfully trained over 2,000 students in renewable energy governance, development governance and Zero Waste Governance.
The project directly impacts a diverse group of stakeholders, including community youth, students, leaders, women, and men. Looking ahead, the School of Governance aims to expand its reach to more communities, scale up its renewable energy governance curriculum, and deepen participatory governance practices among Indigenous and local populations.
The success of the School of Governance is a testament to the dedication of its co-project team. Their sustained efforts since 2015 have empowered thousands of individuals and strengthened inclusive governance practices, laying a solid foundation for continued growth and long-term societal impact.
Kick Total Out of Africa: A Community-Led Movement for Justice: The Kick Total Out of Africa campaign is a powerful, continent-wide movement calling for an end to exploitation by multinational oil companies and demanding justice, reparations, and a community-led transition to clean energy.
Rooted in the voices of those directly impacted, the campaign brings together grassroots communities and advocacy groups across Africa, united in their push for environmental and social justice.
The movement gained significant momentum during the Africa Week of Action in August 2025. In Ogbogwu Community, Rivers State, Nigeria, a historic town hall meeting marked a defining moment, as residents gathered to speak out against the impacts of oil extraction. At the same time, similar actions unfolded across several African countries, reflecting a shared struggle and a growing sense of solidarity.
Since then, the campaign has continued to build strength. A notable milestone occurred in January 2026, when the Umu-Aye family in Ogbogu Community led a peaceful protest against Total Energies, highlighting long-standing grievances over neglect and the denial of host community rights.
Looking ahead, the movement aims to expand its reach across more African nations, strengthen legal demands for reparations, and promote sustainable, community-driven alternatives to fossil fuel dependency.
By deepening collaboration, documenting environmental and health impacts, and engaging global human rights bodies, the campaign seeks to amplify its impact. At its core, Kick Total Out of Africa is driven by the courage and resilience of communities like Ogbogwu and Ogbogu. Their voices, actions, and determination continue to shape a growing pan-African movement committed to justice, dignity, and a sustainable future.
The A Million Tree Project: Growing a Greener Future: Key Achievements of the A Million Tree Project include awareness campaigns in institutions and communities across Nigeria. Over 12,000 trees planted in schools and communities. CODAF has established the Million Tree Club in over 20 schools in Delta State and is empowering young minds to champion environmental protection
Commenting on project, a teacher at Otu-Jeremi Secondary School, said, “The Million Tree Club has been a game-changer for us. We’ve seen firsthand the impact of tree planting on our students and community. Over 70 percent of the trees planted are thriving, and we’re proud to be part of this initiative.”
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