Senator Seriake Dickson has become a leading voice for environmental justice, spotlighting oil pollution in the Niger Delta and wider ecological degradation across Nigeria over more than two decades.
Dickson accused international oil companies of “environmental terrorism” for widespread pollution affecting communities, livelihoods, and fragile ecosystems in the Niger Delta.
He established the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission to independently investigate oil spills, assess damage, and document the long-term social, economic, and environmental consequences of oil exploration.
Dickson consistently demanded tougher environmental regulations, criticizing oil firms for operating with little regard for host communities, public health, or sustainable development standards.
He warned of a “slow environmental genocide” in Bayelsa, revealing that about 40 per cent of mangrove forests had been destroyed, threatening biodiversity, fishing livelihoods, and coastal protection.
Dickson urged the relocation of oil company headquarters to the Niger Delta, arguing that physical presence would improve accountability, community engagement, and faster responses to environmental emergencies.
Through the global “Rise for Bayelsa” campaign, he mobilised international attention against oil spills, pressing multinational firms to acknowledge responsibility and compensate affected communities adequately.
He called for the restoration of polluted farmlands, rivers, and creeks, linking environmental devastation to deepening poverty and demanding economic justice for oil-producing communities.
Dickson advocated a “just transition” to renewable energy, warning that overdependence on fossil fuels continues to expose the Niger Delta to ecological harm and economic vulnerability.
Upon entering the Senate, Dickson sustained his activism, earning recognition as a leading environmental justice advocate within the National Assembly.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, he gained a national platform to influence policy and coordinate legislative responses to environmental and climate challenges.
He pledged collaboration with non-governmental organisations and raised alarms over rampant deforestation, urging state governors to take urgent action to protect forests nationwide.
Dickson has consistently defended oil-producing communities, opposing legislation he considers unfair to resource-bearing regions and insisting on equity in national resource governance.
He endorsed the Subnational Climate Governance Ranking Report and promoted data-driven environmental policymaking to strengthen climate action at state and federal levels.
Dickson pressed for implementation of the BSOEC report, which recommends a 12-year, $12 billion cleanup of polluted areas, alongside a fair transition to renewable energy.
He has called for a “sustainable energy fusion” in Nigeria and engaged stakeholders on mitigating climate impacts affecting agriculture, infrastructure, and vulnerable populations.
Dickson championed the APAPPA Initiative, highlighting opportunities for a $20 billion circular economy and climate finance investment to tackle plastic pollution.
He supports integrating climate resilience across all sectors and activating the Nigerian Climate Council to ensure a coordinated national climate response.
Through his foundation, Dickson established a climate and ecological research center, stressing that environmental protection transcends borders and demands shared global responsibility.
In 2025, Dickson remains a prominent voice in the 10th National Assembly, advocating a new deal that links environmental cleanup in the Niger Delta to lasting prosperity.
