In a statement on Thursday, by AI’s Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, the international human rights group, expressed worries that the involvement of BCG and S&P Global could compromise the independence of the review process.

The Group said: “Given the enormous human rights risks at stake, it is essential that reviews of the sale are not just independent but seen to be independent.”

Amnesty noted that Shell’s sale of its onshore assets has been controversial due to the company’s history of oil spills and environmental damage in the region.

“The government regulator must avoid any perceived conflict of interests and ensure the full independence of any consultants used to review Shell’s proposed sale.

“Shell must be held fully to account for the oil spills related to the business it is selling, which have polluted the environment, contaminated drinking water, and poisoned agricultural land, fisheries, and people,” the statement added.

This revelation comes six months after Shell announced the sale of its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria to the Renaissance consortium worth up to $2.4billion.