United Nations experts have warned that the recent sale of oil assets in Nigeria could harm local communities and break international law if not properly managed.

According to the UN, big oil companies are leaving Nigeria’s onshore operations without first cleaning up the oil spills and pollution they caused in the Niger Delta. This means new local owners may inherit damaged land and waterways, while residents continue to suffer.

The Niger Delta has battled decades of oil pollution. A UN report in 2011 recommended a massive cleanup in Ogoniland, but progress has been slow. Billions of naira have been spent, yet many communities say their water, soil, and farmlands are still unsafe.

The UN experts say oil companies must take responsibility for cleanup before selling their assets. They also want the Nigerian government to enforce stricter rules so that communities are not abandoned with the environmental damage.

Meanwhile, some residents are seeking justice in court. In Ogale, Rivers State, thousands are suing Shell in the UK over oil pollution, with a trial set for 2026.

The UN’s warning comes as Shell’s $1.3 billion sale of its onshore business to Renaissance Africa Energy was recently approved by the Nigerian government — a move that activists fear may worsen the region’s environmental crisis.