Oil of Poverty, Environmental Degradation and Crisis in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Oil is a natural resource. It is an invaluable gift of providence, with the potential to bless a nation so endowed with enormous wealth, if properly managed. However, its mismanagement can result in a resource ‘curse’ rather than a ‘blessing’. This study examined the impact of oil on the Niger Delta region - the oil producing region of Nigeria. The study location was Rivers state, which was purposely selected from the nine oil producing states. Rivers state was chosen because it is the most volatile of the oil producing states and equally the first state where oil exploration begun in Nigeria. In-depth and key informant interviews were used to gather qualitative data from participants. In-depth interviews were administered to 8 males and 7 females, ages 18 years and above, randomly selected from the most volatile oil communities. Equally 6 focus group discussions were held with two homogenous groups of males and females respectively. Each group comprised eight participants that were drawn from various segments of the communities. Data gathered was analysed using NVivo 12, based on predetermined themes drawn from study objectives. Findings, revealed the negative impact of oil on the environment and the people. Oil exploration has resulted in environmental degradation and pollution, which have adversely affected the people and their livelihoods. This has resulted in massive poverty in the midst of enormous oil wealth. Similarly, the presence of oil has turned the state into a theatre of war, characterized by constant conflicts – between and within communities; between communities and oil companies; and among armed groups, oil companies and security forces. The study concludes that the Niger Delta question is rooted in the Nigerian question – the problem of mis-governance, and until the Nigerian governance question is resolved, the Niger Delta question may remain unresolved.