INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION IN RESOURCE EXPLORATION IN NIGERIA’S NIGER-DELTA, 1960-2005

Abstract

The issue of ownership and control of resources in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, is a serious question that has remained unanswered. The question has continued to generate discussions in the polity. Much has been written on the pages of newspapers regarding the ownership of oil resource in the region. This article seeks to interrogate the claims of the Niger Delta people on conspiracy between the Nigerian government and the multinational oil companies operating in the Niger-Delta in view of exploration of oil resources in the area without the active involvement of the people. It adopts the historical method, relying on primary information obtained from archival sources and secondary sources. The paper tries to bring to the fore the conflict of interests between the host communities and the activities of the multinational oil companies operating in the areas. It highlights a tale of woes and lamentations of the people whose natural resources and means of livelihood are taken away without their full involvement. The paper establishes a link between militancy in Niger Delta and neglect of host communities which pushed the youth, the most threatened group by way of neglect to react against this injustice. The youth has reacted negatively by hostage-taking of their perceived enemies and demanding ransom from the multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta. The paper concludes by looking at the new approach of understanding among stakeholders based on dialogue with all the stake holders in the exploration of the resources in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta.