This is a promise. A Promise that indicates a drastic change from the negative narrative of oil exploration in Nigeria. From pollution and degradation; lost livelihoods and exclusion. A Campaign that seeks to ensure corporate speak is now corporate action.

This is the newly unveiled campaign by Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) which is set to re-affirm the company’s long-term commitment to responsible energy production, environmental stewardship, and community development across Nigeria.

The campaign, launched in collaboration with the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC), at its 2025 Annual Conference held on Thursday, October 9 in Lagos, with top government officials, industry leaders, media executives, and stakeholders from across the energy value chain in attendance.

The initiative, described as SEEPCO’s “ESG flagship project,” seeks to consolidate the company’s sustainability-focused interventions under a single, unifying platform. It aims to create stronger linkages between social impact, environmental management, and corporate accountability, positioning sustainability as an active part of the company’s business DNA rather than an afterthought.

According to the Head of Corporate Communications of SEEPCO, Mr Aveek Biswas, the campaign represents a new phase in the company’s 20-year journey; one defined not only by operational growth but by a deepened sense of responsibility to people and the planet. “Our goal is to translate every barrel of energy into measurable impact — a smile that lasts,” the company stated.

Over the past two decades, SEEPCO has consolidated its operations as one of Africa’s fastest-growing exploration and production companies, demonstrating resilience across challenging terrains. Yet, its leaders emphasize that success is not merely about barrels or output, but about the value generated for communities, the environment, and future generations.

Through its ongoing sustainability portfolio, SEEPCO has invested in a range of programs covering health, gender equality, culture, art, and environmental protection. The company sees these as key enablers of nation-building, youth empowerment, and inclusive development — aligning its corporate purpose with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Central to the new campaign is the idea of the “SEEPCO Smile” — a metaphor for sustainable growth that uplifts communities while advancing industrial progress. The concept envisions “millions of lasting smiles that sustain across boundaries,” reflecting SEEPCO’s aspiration to link its business footprint with enduring social and environmental benefits.

The company also used the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to initiatives that encourage collaboration between the private sector, media, and policymakers in shaping a sustainable energy future for Nigeria.

The “Bringing Smiles with Each Barrel” campaign stands as both a reflection of SEEPCO’s past and a statement of intent for its future — one in which energy production goes hand in hand with accountability, community welfare, and environmental care.

As SEEPCO dedicates the campaign to Nigeria on the occasion of its 65th independence anniversary, it reaffirms its belief that the country’s strength lies in resilience, innovation, and shared progress.

In the words of the company’s leadership, “We measure success not only by business growth, but by the lives we uplift and the future we help create; one smile, one barrel at a time.”

• Environmental Africa

Two years after dramatic headlines accused Geo-Seismic Survey Limited, a contractor working for Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), of devastating communities in Akwa Ibom State and walking away without compensation, an independent investigation provides a more measured account. While concerns remain—particularly around the slow pace of compensation—the sweeping claims of outright abandonment and widespread environmental destruction do not hold up when tested against fieldwork, community testimonies, expert assessments, and regulatory records.

Initial reports suggested that seismic blasting in 2023 left residents of seventeen Local Government Areas (LGAs) with cracked homes, contaminated boreholes, ruined farmlands, and no hope of redress. Voices of widows, farmers, and clergy added weight to a picture of neglect. Yet, as this inquiry reveals, those grievances—though genuine reflections of frustration—tell only part of the story. Much of the tension stems from communication lapses, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and, at times, political amplification, rather than outright corporate abandonment.

Across visits to Etinan, Mkpat Enin, Oruk Anam, Eastern Obolo, and Ikot Abasi, interviews with over 40 respondents revealed a mixed but instructive reality. Some residents emphasized that company officials carried out consultations and documented damage, while others—still awaiting payment—interpreted the delays as abandonment. This divergence helps explain why conflicting narratives circulate.

In Etinan, Chief Etim Monday, Village Head of Ayam Efa, acknowledged that crops were damaged but confirmed direct engagement. “They came here and explained their work. I personally witnessed one of the blasting exercises. They took records of those who lost crops. What we await is payment. I would not call it abandonment,” he said.

At Ikot Ekpe in Mkpat Enin, traditional ruler Chief (Dr.) Bassey Udo added that local youths benefited from temporary employment. “Over 120 young men from our clan worked as guides, drivers, and labourers during the survey. Many used the wages to support their families. The issue is not abandonment but delayed compensation.”

Women leaders also offered perspective. Mrs. Ekaette Ekanem, leader of Nkana Women’s Cooperative, explained that while borehole issues were worrying, they predated seismic activity. “The company still meets with us from time to time. They have not disappeared, though we are waiting for compensation.”

Farmers, fishermen, and clergy shared similar stories—acknowledging damage, confirming company visits, but stressing delays. A cassava farmer in Eastern Obolo, a fish farmer in Oruk Anam, and a fisherman in Onna all pointed to ongoing dialogue, not total neglect.

Expert assessments help clarify the situation. Hydrogeologists caution against attributing all borehole discoloration to seismic activity, noting shallow aquifers and seasonal sediment inflows. Environmental scientists emphasize that vibrations from seismic surveys rarely cause major structural damage, especially to well-built houses. Public health consultants add that typhoid and related waterborne illnesses often stem from sanitation challenges rather than blasting.

Regulatory agencies confirm that the operations followed due process, including an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Environment. Officials emphasize that frameworks exist to address verified damages, though compensation often moves slowly due to legal and bureaucratic requirements under the Land Use Act and Petroleum Industry Act.

SEEPCO’s recent statement underscores continued engagement. “Communities have not at any point been abandoned,” spokesperson Mohammed Sule noted in August 2025, emphasizing that compensation is ongoing and guided by regulatory frameworks. Community Liaison Officers echo this, pointing to weekly meetings with local leaders and continuous claim processing.

Beyond compensation, SEEPCO has deepened its host community relations under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Sensitization campaigns have been conducted across OML-13 host communities to educate residents on their rights and opportunities under the Act. In line with PIA provisions, the company has supported the appointment of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) members to ensure communities play a direct role in managing development initiatives.

In 2025, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) granted approval for the establishment of the OML-13 HCDT. This milestone was followed by the formal constitution and inauguration of the Trust, marking a significant step toward structured, community-led development. For many residents, the HCDT represents a practical mechanism for addressing grievances and investing in sustainable projects, farmland restoration, borehole rehabilitation, and skill-building programs—that go beyond temporary compensation.

Why then did abandonment narratives spread so strongly? Analysts suggest that political actors and community elites, seeking leverage, amplified frustrations. While grievances are valid, the narratives gained momentum partly through politicization and incomplete media reporting.

Available data paints a different picture: over 3,200 hectares of farmland enumerated for compensation, more than 1,500 households with verified claims, and over 600 youths engaged in temporary jobs. These figures suggest ongoing—if slow—engagement rather than total neglect.

As Rev. Godwin Okon Akpan, one early critic, later admitted: “We are still waiting, but I cannot say they ran away. The problem is delay.”

Experts agree that the path forward requires transparency, faster compensation, and consistent dialogue. As environmental policy scholar Dr. Emmanuel Ibanga noted: “The issue is not abandonment but the need for clearer communication and quicker processes. Trust can only be rebuilt when stakeholders work together with openness.”

In conclusion, grievances remain, but evidence does not support the sweeping claim of abandonment. Instead, what emerges is a story of contested perceptions, process delays, and amplified frustrations. The challenge now is not blame but solutions—grounded in fact, fairness, and collaboration.

In fact, SEEPCO is among the few oil producing companies out of more than 70 successful bidders that signed PSCs during Nigeria’s 2005 licensing round to achieve first oil within a record time of just two years. Its journey, though marked by challenges across difficult terrains, reflects resilience, perseverance, and commitment. Unlike some international oil companies that wound up operations midway, SEEPCO today stands proudly as one of the fastest-growing oil exploration and production companies in Africa—a position built not by abandonment but by engagement and resilience with its host communities with pride.

• Crest
• The Pioneer