Dr. Sunny Ofehe On Diaspora Diplomacy and Development in the Niger Delta

By Ajong Mbapndah L*

From the oil-rich creeks of the Niger Delta to the policy corridors of Europe, Dr. Sunny Ofehe has built an extraordinary career rooted in advocacy, diplomacy, and transformative leadership. As Executive Assistant on External Relations and Diaspora Affairs to Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, and founder of the Hope for Niger Delta Campaign (HNDC) and the Stichting Sunny Ofehe Foundation in the Netherlands, Dr. Ofehe has become a tireless voice for environmental justice, diaspora engagement, and sustainable development.

In this exclusive interview with Pan African Visions, Dr. Ofehe discusses how his global experience and grassroots activism are shaping Delta State’s foreign relations and diaspora strategy under the MORE Agenda

. He reflects on Governor Oborevwori’s early achievements, the real and perceived challenges of the Niger Delta, investment opportunities beyond oil, and his decades-long journey in taking the Niger Delta struggle to global platforms — from The Hague to the United Nations.

Poised between diplomacy and activism, Dr. Ofehe’s story underscores one truth: reconnecting the diaspora and restoring environmental justice are not parallel missions — they are the twin engines driving Delta State’s next phase of inclusive transformation.

You currently serve as the Executive Assistant on External Relations and Diaspora Affairs to the Delta State Government, may we know what this role entails?

My appointment as the Executive Assistant (External Relations and Diaspora Affairs) to the Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori administration of Delta State took effect from 18 September 2023 and has these core components:

In my role, I act as a bridge between Delta State and its diaspora population: Nigerians originally from Delta who live abroad, as well as foreign nationals with interest in the state, linking them with government opportunities, initiatives and PSAs.

Facilitating external relations aspects, these includes international partnerships, investment outreach, environmental diplomacy, advocacy with multilateral organizations, and championing the state policies in foreign engagements.

My role is also to advise the Governor’s office on diaspora-policy, external linkages, attracting global investment, and organizing diaspora-engagement platforms both locally, nationally and internationally.

Also Supporting communication of Delta State’s narrative abroad, helping to shift perceptions, mobilize diaspora resources (skills, networks, capital) into the state, and ensure diaspora concerns are factored into policy.

Coordinating programmes that connect remittances, diaspora business-linkages, returning talent or experts, and ensuring that diaspora voices are integrated into governance and development planning.

In short, the role is about externalizing Delta State’s development agenda: making sure that the state’s diaspora and global networks are not passive observers but active partners, while also elevating Delta’s profile internationally.

For those who may not know, could you do a short intro of the Delta State and some of its unique peculiarities for us?

Let me begin with a brief history, Delta State, is in the southern part of Nigeria, which is a part of the Niger Delta region; it was created on May 27, 1991.

The State has a population of around 8 million people which is around the population of the US state of Washington. We have the highest number of tertiary institutions in the country thereby making us the State with the highest human capital index in the country.

The state is richly endowed with oil and gas; it lies in a major hydrocarbon-producing area. The state is currently the largest producer of crude oil in Nigeria and has the highest gas reserve in the country. This gives the state enormous resource potential as it currently received the highest FAAC allocation from the Federal account.

It features both urbanized areas like the capital Asaba, the commercial hub Warri and the city I grew up in called Ughelli. It also has an extensive riverine and mangrove communities with beautiful and historic landscape.

Our unique peculiarities lies in the Diversity of our ethnic groups. It’s a mosaic of cultures among the Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri, Anioma (Igbo-speaking), and others which influences politics, resource-control debates, community dynamics.

We shouldn’t also forget the strategic location benefits: We are the gateway to the South – South and South – Eastern region of Nigeria whether by land, by sea or by air. This alone position Delta State for the flow of persons and goods which brings immense economic, logistic and social benefits.

We are the only state that has four major refineries within a radius 150 km, our unique access to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Guinea. The state has possibilities in logistics, trade, maritime services, aquaculture, agro-industry, beyond oil.

In short, Delta State is a land of high potential, natural-resource wealth, human capital development and diverse communities. The ambition is to turn that potential into inclusive growth.

How has the current Governor Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori fared since he took office and what are some of the tangibles that he has delivered for Delta State so far?

Since Governor Oborevwori assumed office on May 29, 2023, he has launched his administration under what is branded the “MORE Agenda” (Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, Enhanced Peace & Security).

Some of the tangible achievements include, Infrastructure. The administration is undertaking over 500 projects covering 1,500 km of roads across the state including flyovers at PTI Junction, DSC Roundabout, the Ughelli-Asaba dual carriageway, etc.

His Excellency has carried out major Civil-service reform and has also improve the civil service welfare packages and schemes. In one year, payment of N5.522 billion in promotion arrears to 23,887 workers. Approval of a N40 billion loan facility for local governments to clear pension backlog.

Let us also take a look at the Social welfare package of the current administration: The D-CARES (Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery & Economic Stimulus) programme was scaled from 36,353 beneficiaries to 110,841 with grants totaling N500 million to over 5,000 traders / artisans.

In terms of Peace & security in the state currently, reports have clearly indicated that Delta State is emerging among the safer states in the region, due to community engagement, security logistics, and infrastructure to support patrols.

This is why he has been getting recognition across the country. The Governor was recently awarded “Governor of the Year 2024” by ThisDay/Arise Media in recognition of his fiscal discipline by not borrowing, yet undertaking development projects.

While no government is perfect, the early signs suggest that Oborevwori’s administration has moved relatively quickly on infrastructure, human-capital investment, and social welfare, and is making the diversification agenda more visible.

As the Assistant on External Relations and Diaspora Affairs, how has the experience been for you and any palpable achievements you can share with us?

While as a public figure I operate in a supporting role, I can share how the experience has been and some key successes. In terms of experience, I am leveraging my background in environmental advocacy, diaspora networks and international diplomacy to help bring fresh perspectives and connections into the Governor’s office.

My time abroad has helped me make bridges between Delta State and international actors. In terms of achievements and mobilizing diaspora interest, I have initiated meetings and dialogues with diaspora groups to encourage investment in Delta State, knowledge-transfer, skill-sharing and partnerships.

I am helping to reposition Delta’s narrative globally by emphasizing its potential beyond oil, the reform agenda under the governor, and opportunities for global partners.

Also looking at the environmental / sustainable development aspects by Bringing the experiential lens of Niger Delta advocacy into government planning so that external relations also factor in environmental justice, community resilience and sustainable investment.

The challenges could be in bridging the perception gaps. As you may know, the diaspora sometimes hold a negative view of governance in the region. So, aligning external expectations with internal realities like the infrastructure, business climate, and the ease in doing business now, and ensuring that diaspora-engagement is not merely symbolic but results in concrete follow-through.

Overall, I would say the role has been rewarding though demanding because the diaspora/foreign-relations portfolio requires constant outreach, follow-up, and delivery of tangible results.

Despite its vast oil resources, the state is also known for issues of piracy, militant activities over resource control, environmental degradation from oil spills and so on, what is real and what is fiction at the moment with these concerns?

These issues are real, and in some areas the narrative is blown out of proportion. Let’s take a look at the environmental degradation from oil spills, pipeline vandalism, gas flaring; These are documented in many communities in the Niger Delta region, including parts of Delta State. They have led to livelihood disruption like fishing, farming, health hazards, contamination of water/soil.

The issue of resource-control and community agitations has seen major improvement since the governor came into power. Some communities legitimately feel they are not benefitting fairly from oil/gas exploitation; this has led to activism, demands for compensation, monitoring of oil-company activities. There has been relative peace since this government came in and that has led to more crude oil and gas production output.

Accessibility to the riverine/creek has always posed problems Many communities are remote, difficult to access; this complicates infrastructure delivery, security, and development. With the current rural area policies of the government, we are gradually surmounting these challenges.

There has also been the long discussions about the security threats in the state such as Maritime piracy, oil-theft, pipeline-theft. These have been reported in the broader Niger Delta region and represent real challenges for companies and communities alike. With the security contracts given to Tantita Group to protect and secure the water ways, there has been improvement on security.

What is not true is that the entire state is a no-go zone! While certain hotspots exist, the picture is not uniformly one of lawlessness. The government’s recent security focus suggests improvement in some parts.

That nothing is being done ?  Not at all. The Governor’s infrastructure and social programmes suggest active governance; so framing it as “only problems and no action” would be inaccurate.

That oil wealth automatically translates to prosperity for all: This is a misconception. The presence of oil often correlates with the “resource curse” phenomenon of large revenues but concentrated benefits, weak institutions, environmental cost and so it is not surprising many communities still feel left behind.

In short, the difficulties are real; the fiction is in over-simplified portrayals. Delta State presents both risks, as all resource-rich regions do and opportunity and the job of government is to manage the risks while enabling the opportunities.

The Nigerian government recently issued a post humous pardon for Ken Saro Wiwa, and others killed during the Abacha administration, how was this received in the Delta State?

While most of the widely-reported commentary about Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Niger Delta concerns the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) in neighboring Rivers State, the sentiment in Delta State is reflective of the broader Niger Delta region’s hopes.

In Delta State many people view the pardon as a symbolic step: recognition of past injustices, a moral reckoning. It was welcomed by civil-society actors as a chance to highlight environmental justice, human rights, and minority-voice issues across the Niger Delta, including Delta.

However, in practical terms, locals are also asking: what comes next? Will reparations, remediation, and real community development follow? The reception is cautiously positive, with hope, but also guarded expectation.

It should be noted that I have personally championed the inspiring role of the Ogoni 9 led by Ken Saro – Wiwa. I have orgnaised memorial alongside organizations such as Amnesty International, Friends of the Earth, Cordaid and so on. I have also addressed the Ogoni cause on the plenary session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva, Switzerland. At the Dutch Parliament and European Parliament Committee levels in The Hague and Brussels.

It is no irony therefore that my last child was born on the 10^th November which is the same date and month that the Ogoni 9 were sadly executed. So, that day brings me mixed feelings every year.

Beyond oil, what other investment opportunities are worth exploring in the Delta State. And other success tips you have for potential investors?

Delta State’s future lies beyond oil. We are encouraging investment in agriculture — particularly agro-processing, aquaculture, and food-chain logistics — because our soil and waterways are rich. The maritime and logistics sectors hold huge potential due to our coastal position and access to major markets. Renewable energy, information technology, tourism, and the creative industries are also emerging frontiers.

For potential investors, my advice is simple: do your homework, engage local communities, and think long-term. Delta is open for business, but sustainable partnerships are built on respect and shared value. Investors who prioritize transparency, environmental responsibility, and community engagement will find government support and social acceptance. The more we diversify, the more resilient our economy will become.

Delta State has a huge Agro-industry potential for investment: Given the fertile lands and riverine access, investments in downstream agriculture processing, cold-chain logistics, aquaculture holds a very high promise.

In the area of Logistics/maritime & port services, Delta’s access to waterways, proximity to the Gulf of Guinea, and growing infrastructure make it attractive for port-side services, warehousing and shipping support.

In the Renewable energy/gas-to-value-chain in line with ongoing global energy transition, Delta’s gas reserves and infrastructure could be leveraged for local industrial gas-use, power generation and even industrial parks.

What about Tourism & eco-tourism? The riverine, mangrove, cultural heritage of Delta State offer potential for niche tourism, cultural-heritage projects, hospitality. Do you know that the River Ethiope in Delta State is that deepest inland water way in Africa?

The waters are Crystal-clear and considered one of the cleanest in Nigeria. It supports rich biodiversity and green vegetation. In terms of its Conservation, there are ongoing efforts to establish legal rights for the river, potentially making it the first waterway in Africa with this status. It also has Cultural importance to us in Delta State since it is considered a sacred river by local communities. 

Delta State is an location for ICT / Creative Economy for Skills-development, tech hubs, digital services for the African market. Youth-population and improving connectivity create a fertile ground. Also the real-estate & urban development: As urban centres expand (Asaba, Warri) there is need for housing, commercial property, services.

It is time to partner with government and leverage incentives because the emerging policies under the MORE Agenda may favour investors who align with state goals of diversification.

You are also the Founder of Hope for Niger Delta Campaign, could you share some insights on the campaign?

The Hope for the Niger Delta Campaign, which I founded in 2005 in the Netherlands, was born out of my desire to tell the story of our region to the international community. It is an advocacy and humanitarian platform dedicated to promoting environmental justice, sustainable development, and human rights for Niger Delta communities.

Over the years, the campaign has worked with European institutions, the United Nations, and civil society networks to raise awareness about oil-related pollution, corporate accountability, and minority rights.

One of our proudest contributions was helping to bring international attention to court cases against oil companies in The Hague, which led to a landmark ruling in favor of affected farmers. The campaign has also trained youth advocates, facilitated global dialogues, and inspired many to pursue peaceful activism. Of course, challenges remain like funding, security, and the slow pace of structural change but our commitment to a fairer and cleaner Niger Delta remains unshaken.

What are some of the success stories scored by the Campaign and what are some of the big challenges you have faced?

The Hope for the Niger Delta Campaign (HNDC) has recorded several meaningful achievements since its inception in 2005. One of the most remarkable successes is how we managed to internationalize the environmental struggles of the Niger Delta.

When we started, the plight of our people resulting from oil spills, gas flaring, and environmental degradation was largely underreported outside Nigeria. Through persistent advocacy, media engagement, and collaboration with international bodies, we succeeded in bringing global attention to these issues.

A major milestone was our involvement in supporting legal actions brought by Niger Delta farmers against Royal Dutch Shell in the Netherlands. That case, which eventually led to a favourable ruling for one of the farmers, marked a historic precedent — showing that oil multinationals could be held accountable for environmental harm committed in Africa, even in European courts. It was a breakthrough that inspired similar environmental justice movements across the continent.

We have also organised policy dialogues and conferences in Europe and Africa, bringing together community leaders, government officials, and international agencies to discuss practical solutions to oil-related challenges. The campaign has empowered young activists, given communities a voice on global platforms like the United Nations, and fostered partnerships for capacity building and environmental remediation.

However, our journey has not been without serious challenges. Advocacy is slow work, and the realities on the ground can be discouraging. Securing sustained funding for grassroots projects remains difficult, as donor attention often shifts elsewhere. We also face security risks while

Any last word to diaspora and other external on why and how they can better engage with Delta State?

My message to the diaspora and international partners is that this is the time to reconnect with home. Delta State is changing, the government is committed to peace, accountability, and diversification.

The diaspora community holds enormous power in expertise, capital, and influence. I invite Deltans abroad to see themselves not as spectators but as co-architects of the state’s development.

You can invest, mentor, or contribute knowledge. Even small initiatives can grow into impactful projects. Work with government, partner with communities, and be patient because development is a process, not an event. For external partners, Delta offers a rare mix of natural potential and political will.

The opportunities are real, the reforms are ongoing, and the door is wide open. Together, we can make Delta a model of inclusive growth in the Niger Delta and beyond.

*Culled from November Issue of PAV Magazine .