Senate Passes Bill to Jail Oil Polluters and Impose Heavier Fines

Nigeria’s Senate passed the 2026 bill to strengthen the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). The amendment to the 2006 law provides for heavier fines and criminal penalties for oil spills that damage the environment and deprive residents of their livelihoods. Senator Tahir Monguno said existing penalties had failed to deter offenders as pollution continues to harm fishing and farming in the Niger Delta. The Senate approved all 12 clauses and passed the bill at third reading; Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the Environment Committee’s work.