CHALLENGES AGAINST MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS’ RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN NIGERIA: THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

The Nigerian economy is highly dependent on crude oil and other natural resources and the major players in this sphere are multinational corporations. While it is never denied that the operations of multinational corporations in Nigeria have created job opportunities and brought development even to some rural communities in Nigeria, the violations of human rights by multinational corporations have become so alarming that several scholars have started questioning whether natural resources are curses or blessings. Despite the involvements of multinational corporations in violations of human rights in Nigeria, none has been held liable for human rights violations. This study aimed at identifying factors militating against holding multinational corporations accountable for their human rights violations. In order to achieve this objective, the doctrinal research methodology and the critical and analytical approaches were adopted in collection and analysis of data from primary and secondary sources. The primary sources comprised the constitution, statutes and case law while the secondary sources included text books, journal articles, dictionaries, law reports and online materials. It was found that lack of jurisdiction by Nigerian courts, the provisions of the Nigerian constitution and bribery and corruption were some of the challenges making it difficult to hold multinational corporations accountable for their involvements in human rights violations in Nigeria. This work recommended the amendment of the Nigerian Constitution and the enactment of a new statute recognizing environmental rights as human rights and vesting jurisdiction in the Nigerian Courts.