A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF GOVERNMENT AND OIL COMPANIES’ RESPONSES TO NIGER DELTA AGITATION (1960-2009)

The Niger Delta is the centre of oil and gas production in Nigeria, accounting for about 80% of total Government Revenue, 95% of Foreign Exchange and over 80% of National Wealth. The region has also recently attracted attention for its incessant conflicts and clashes between the Nigerian state and the multinational oil companies (MNOCs). These conflicts are due to the continuous oil exploration and exploitation in the region, which has led to environmental degradation and pollution, as well as poverty, unemployment and even death of the people. Hence, resistance organisations from various ethnic nationalities have emerged in the Niger Delta to confront these MNOCs and the Nigerian government in pursuit of an improved socio-economic situation and resource control. This paper, therefore, examines the responses of the Nigerian government and oil companies to these agitations. This is imperative as the conflict in the Niger Delta has taken its toll on Nigeria’s economy. The paper employs historical research methods, drawing on data largely from secondary sources such as books and journal articles. The findings from this study reveal that although some laudable responses, such as the initiation of developmental programmes by the Nigerian government and multinational companies, have been undertaken, these efforts are, however, superficial and have lacked adequate political will by successive administrations to decisively tackle the fundamental issues involved in oil violence in the Niger Delta. The study concludes that more sophisticated responses are needed to manage the crises in the region.