Chevron's GMoU Model Shaped Nigeria's PIA, Driving Transparency and Accountability

Chevron's Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) model has had a lasting impact on Nigeria's Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), according to Chevron Nigeria Limited. The company's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Mr Olusoga Oduselu, explained that the principles embedded in the PIA were directly drawn from Chevron's successful community engagement framework.

Oduselu stated that Chevron invests over $1 billion annually in local content and has contributed more than $10 billion to support local communities, Nigerian companies, and capacity building. He emphasized that Chevron's mission is 'partnership and performance, starting with the people.'

The GMoU programme was initiated by Chevron in 2005 as a response to escalating crises in the Niger Delta around 2010. The programme fostered participatory partnerships, giving communities ownership of development projects and the power to determine their needs.

Before the enactment of the PIA, millions of dollars had been invested in Niger Delta communities through GMoU projects. Oduselu explained that the PIA adopted many of these principles, transparency, accountability, sustainability, participation, and capacity building, verbatim from Chevron's model.