Graduates from the three Ijaw kingdoms of Egbema, Gbaramatu and Ogulagha in Warri North, Warri South-West and Burutu local government areas of Delta State, respectively, under the umbrella body of KOMBOT, have alleged the "continuous marginalisation" of graduates from Ijaw host communities in the Niger Delta region by management of the multinational oil and gas giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL).

The allegation is contained in a press statement signed by KOMBOT's President Comrade Tare Olaye and Secretary Comrade Charles Kin and issued on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

In their statement, the graduate forum accused the oil giant of neglecting competent graduates from the area by engaging foreign workforce to the detriment of host communities in violation of the Local Content Act and in betrayal of agreements reached with host communities.

The statement reads: "The Ijaw host communities of the Niger Delta are outraged over the continued marginalisation of our graduates by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL).

"For decades, Chevron has extracted vast wealth from our oil-rich lands, devastated our environment, and displaced our people. Yet, when it comes to employment and empowerment, the company shamelessly sidelines the very owners of the resources it exploits.

"This grave injustice cannot continue. While hundreds of qualified Ijaw graduates—with degrees in engineering, geology, environmental sciences, and other vital disciplines—remain unemployed, Chevron consistently fills its workforce with outsiders. This is a blatant violation of Nigeria’s Local Content Act and a betrayal of agreements reached with host communities (HCDT)," the Forum alleged.

Going forward, the Forum issued a five-point demands and also gave a seven-day ultimatum, which begins on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, for CNL to address its grievances failing which KOMBOT will "embark on mass protests, community shutdowns, and legal actions until justice is achieved," the graduate body warned.

The five-point demands are: "Give us specific numbers of Ijaw graduates you want to employ across Ijaw HCDT without any further story telling; An end to discriminatory recruitment practices that exclude Ijaw HCDT Graduates; Full compliance with the Local Content Act and recognition of HCDT rights."

Others are: "Urgent intervention from the Federal Government and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to hold Chevron accountable; and Full implementation of the recommendation of our Royal Father's across the aforementioned Kingdoms."

While accusing CNL of feeding "fat on our resources but refuses to empower our youths", an act it labelled as "modern-day slavery" which it warned "it will no longer tolerate," KOMBOT reiterated that the oil giant "should be held responsible for any actions taken" for failing to do the needful.

"Our oil is the lifeline of this nation. If Chevron cannot respect its host communities, then it has no business operating on our land. A stitch in time saves nine," KOMBOT warned.

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