NDRD_Vol14_No1

THE IRONY OF OIL WEALTH AND POVERTY IN THE NIGER DELTA

BETWEEN 1998 AND 2022

Dr Ebilabo Obubo,

Department Of History and International Studies

University Of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

and

Prof Ejitu N. Ota

Department Of History And International Study

Abia State University, Uturu

Nigeria.

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Abstract

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has the highest concentration of crude oil

deposits in the countrywhich has contributed emmensely to the nationaly

economy. However, indigenes of the region have, over the years, had to contend

with neglect from the federal government. This is in spite of the fact that crude oil

exports from the Niger Delta provide the bulk of Nigeria’s export earnings.

Adopting the qualitative research methodology of content analysis and the

historical descriptive approach, the paper has observed that a major fall-out of the

activities of transnational oil companies in the Niger Delta in collaboration with

the federal government is youth restiveness. This has resulted in the formation of

such militant groups as the Egbesu Boys, whose modus operandi include the

destruction of oil installations and the kidnapping of employees of the oil

companies. The paper concludes that although the Presidential Amnesty

Programme was set-up to address the grievances of youths from the Niger Delta

regions, a lot more still need to be done, especially in the area of environmental

management and control, as well as infrastructural development in the region.

Keywords: Oil wealth, Transnational Oil Companies, poverty, marginalization,

Niger Delta, Presidential Amnesty Programme