INC Announces Ijaw Nation’s Admission Into UNPO, Calls It ‘New Dawn’ for Self-Determination
The Ijaw Nation has achieved a major stride on the global stage as the Ijaw National Congress (INC) announced its provisional admission into the United Nations Unrepresented Peoples Organisation (UNPO). The membership, effective 29th October 2025, marks a historic turning point in the Ijaw struggle for international recognition, self-determination, and environmental justice.
In a statement released from Ijaw House in Yenagoa, INC President Prof. Benjamin Okaba described the development as a “monumental victory” for the Ijaw people after decades of political marginalization and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta.
According to the INC, the communication from the UNPO Presidency confirming the decision followed a review process that endorsed the Ijaw Nation’s longstanding quest for representation among indigenous and unrepresented groups worldwide.
A Platform for Global Visibility and Advocacy
The INC emphasized that the new membership moves beyond symbolism to provide a strategic international platform for amplifying the voice of the Ijaw people. It grants them direct access to global institutions, enabling them to tell their own stories and highlight issues such as environmental pollution, economic exclusion, and human rights violations.
“For too long, our narrative has been shaped by others. UNPO offers us a direct channel to express our aspirations and the injustices we face,” the statement noted, citing persistent oil pollution and the “environmental genocide” in the Niger Delta.
Strengthening the Fight for Environmental Justice
The INC highlighted UNPO’s focus on environmental rights as a crucial tool that will deepen ongoing advocacy for the remediation of polluted ecosystems and accountability from multinational oil companies. The organization expressed optimism that the membership will strengthen calls for a safer, healthier environment across Ijaw territories.
Boost for Self-Determination Efforts
The INC reiterated that the Ijaw Nation’s quest for autonomy, resource control, and political restructuring is deeply rooted in their right to self-determination — a principle strongly upheld by UNPO.
Membership, the Congress said, offers a “significant moral and advocacy framework” to push for true federalism and a fairer relationship within the Nigerian federation.
Capacity Building and International Alliances
As part of the benefits, the Ijaw Nation will gain access to capacity-building programs on human rights monitoring, advocacy, and sustainable development. The INC also expects to build alliances with other indigenous and marginalized groups globally.
Call for Constructive Engagement
The statement urged the Nigerian government to view this development not as a threat, but as an opportunity to pursue meaningful dialogue with the Ijaw Nation.
“Our international recognition is a compelling reason to re-engage constructively on issues of resource control, environmental protection, and political restructuring,” the INC said.
Also Read: Ijaw Nation Slams Disparities Between PIA 2021 and Solid Minerals Act, Calls It “Systemic Injustice” Against Niger Delta
The Congress also extended gratitude to individuals and sister ethnic nationalities who supported the process, describing the membership as “a new dawn for the Ijaw Nation.”
The press statement was signed by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Global.
