Nine Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) functioning within oil-rich areas of Akwa Ibom State have scored their best in governance and accountability, although they exhibit substantial deficiencies in gender representation and preparedness for energy transitions, according to a recent evaluation.
These insights are part of the first Host Communities Development Index, titled "Beyond Tokenism: A Gender and Innovation Ranking of Host Community Development Trusts in Nigeria," released by Policy Alert during the 2026 Host Communities Development Forum held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on March 9.
The report examined 18 HCDTs across Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, measuring their performance in four key areas: governance and accountability, social and gender inclusion, environmental sustainability, and readiness for the global shift to renewable energy.
Out of the nine trusts analyzed in Akwa Ibom, the NNPC/Seplat Joint Venture EMOIMEE Host Communities Development Trust emerged as the leading performer with a score of 58 percent.
EMOIMEE stands for Eket, Mkpat Enin, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mbo, Esit Eket, and Eastern Obolo, which represent the local government areas included within the Trust.
Following EMOIMEE, the rankings placed NNPC/Seplat JV Ibeno HCDT second, with the Ekid HCDT operated by Frontier/Savannah Energy taking the third position.
The report also noted that the Incorporated Trustees of BOPANE Oil Fields by TotalEnergies secured the fourth place. BOPANE stands for Bonny, Opobo, Andoni, Nkoro, and Eastern Obolo, while the study assessed the only cluster of this trust located in Eastern Obolo in Akwa Ibom State.
The remaining trusts have been ranked as follows: Network Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited – Ibeno Clan HCDT, Esit Eket/Mbo HCDT by Savannah/Sinopec, Abana HCDT by Moni Pulo Limited, Efiat Mbo HCDT by Oriental Energy Resources, and Royal Mbo HCDT by Antan Producing Limited.
The report highlighted improvements in governance and accountability metrics among most of the trusts, yet significant challenges in gender equality and social inclusion persisted.
Despite being the overall top-ranked trust, EMOIMEE HCDT scored seventh in gender and social inclusion, indicating a disparity between its goals and actual achievements. The report remarked, "In areas such as the composition of the Board of Trustees, representation on Management Committees, advisory memberships, and the gender-responsiveness of project designs, the Trust has yet to meet the inclusion standards anticipated from an entity in its fourth- year operation."
Conversely, Ekid HCDT, though rated third overall, demonstrated the best performance in gender and social inclusion among the evaluated trusts. Its community development plan is closely aligned with gender equality principles and includes significant empowerment initiatives for women.
It was observed that "EKID’s performance in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) stands out positively in this group, showcasing a Trust that has progressed beyond merely using inclusion as a rhetoric."
Nonetheless, the report indicated limitations in women’s engagement in community meetings and contract allocation processes.
Additionally, the assessment brought to light urgent environmental sustainability issues faced by numerous trusts catering to oil-impacted coastal regions. Esit Eket/Mbo HCDT and Royal Mbo HCDT achieved zero scores across all environmental indicators, despite operating in areas heavily impacted by oil activities and coastal erosion.
In contrast, Efiat Mbo HCDT, one of the newly established trusts, received praise for prioritizing a coastal embankment initiative aimed at tackling erosion and sea-level rise threats in its communities.
The report illuminated that youth representation in governance is significantly lacking, despite being the majority demographic in host communities. Although often included in advisory roles and targeted by development projects, their involvement in decision-making bodies is minimal.
"Considering that the median age in these communities is under 25, this lack of youth representation signifies a lost opportunity for harnessing a potentially advantageous demographic," the report emphasized.
On the subject of energy transition, the findings revealed a worrying gap in readiness for a global shift away from fossil fuels. Across all 18 trusts examined in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, the evaluation determined inadequate investments in renewable energy and minimal diversification into low-carbon economies.
Even trusts exhibiting early involvement, including the BOPANE trust benefitting from support by TotalEnergies in Akwa Ibom, have yet to formulate comprehensive strategies to prepare host communities for participation in a future green economy.
The report asserted that none of the assessed trusts has created a thorough energy transition strategy.
Tijah Bolton-Akpan, Executive Director of Policy Alert, presented the report, emphasizing that the index aims to bolster transparency and accountability within the HCDT framework emerging from the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
"The PIA's commitment was to establish a structured and transparent method for host communities to derive benefits from local resource extraction activities," he noted.
During the forum, the index was underscored as a vital measurement tool indicating whether that commitment is materializing. As trusts exhibit strong governance, examples of community-driven development are beginning to emerge, suggesting positive outcomes.
Dumnamene Dekor, Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, stated that the National Assembly will maintain oversight to ensure the PIA delivers tangible advantages to oil-rich communities.
"HCDTs were instituted to rectify decades of disparities in the oil sector," he stated, highlighting the importance of initiatives such as the index to enhance transparency, accountability, and inclusion.
At the conclusion of the forum, awards were distributed to the top three ranking trusts, with Ekid HCDT receiving special recognition for its outstanding achievements in gender and social inclusion.
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