Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko

Conflict in the Niger Delta Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko

ISSUES ADDRESSED BY THIS BOOK
This book is the outcome of six years' research undertaken by the author during her PhD programme in the Department of Political Science, University of Abuja. The process of converting the thesis into a book began in December, 2015 and as a result, additional materials have been added to the original materials. The book is in four series comprising 'Conflict in the Niger Delta', 'Militancy in the Niger Delta', 'Conflict in the Niger Delta and Nigeria's External Relations'; and Conflict Resolution and Management in the Niger Delta.'

Chapter One which is the introduction highlights the importance of the Niger Delta region to the Nigerian economy. It gives a detailed account of the dynamism witnessed by Nigeria's foreign policy following a boom in the economy in the 1970s as a result of crude oil.

Chapter Two provides the conceptual and theoretical basis for the work. Using an eclectic method, a combination of theories (eco-violence, bourgeoisie political economy, frustration-aggression, Primordial-psychological/Ethnic Conflict Theory and linkage theories) is adopted to explain the phenomenon of crisis in the Niger Delta and its impact on Nigeria's international relations. The adoption of several theories is necessitated by the complex nature of crisis in the region.

Chapter Three gives an overview of Nigeria from the precolonial, colonial to the post-colonial period. The chapter examines the change from an agrarian economy to an oil-dependent and its implication for the Nigerian economy and polity. The chapter concludes that dependence on oil has resulted in economic and political stability.

Chapter Four gives a brief history of the Niger Delta beginning with an overview of the region, including the geographical location, population density, ethnic composition, and living conditions of the people in the region. The chapter will help the reader to appreciate the peculiar nature of the Niger Delta region and how this has contributed to conflict in the area.

In Chapter Five, the condition of the Niger Delta region is discussed. The condition of the area to a large extent has been at the heart of the crises that have rocked the region for decades. Decades of oil exploration and negligence on the part of oil companies further compounded the problem of the region through severe environmental problems which have engendered conflict in recent times.

Chapter Six gives the historical background to the discovery of oil, joint ventures in the Niger Delta and the switch from an agrarian economy to an oil-dependent economy.

In chapter Seven, explorative activities and their impacts on the region and its inhabitants are discussed. The focus here is to show how oil-related activities are responsible for crisis in the Niger Delta.

Chapter Eight discusses the causes of crisis in the region with some of the factors identified as resource control, activities of Multinational Oil Companies which cause environmental pollutions, and oppressive legal regimes. The chapter also identifies the role of corrupt Niger Delta in contributing to the crisis while examining the rise of militancy in the region as a consequence of the crisis.

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