Natural Resource Governance and Conflict in Nigeria

Abstract

<i>Background</i>:<i> </i>Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources, which accounts for over 65% of her total tax revenue, motivated mostly by an upsurge in export earnings from the oil and gas sector. Most of the resource- based conflicts are caught up by the unfair and inequitable distribution of benefits accruing to resources. The government and some acclaimed elite, in alliance with foreign corporations, enjoy the gains and benefits of the exploited resource. Meanwhile, the host-communities face the devastating and undesirable environmental impacts with discrepancy between indigenous traditional laws and state laws that define ownership of natural resources in a federal structure has led to controversial relations among states in Nigeria. <i>Objectives:</i> The paper took an extensive look at the politics of natural resource governance in Nigeria and explored broadly the themes through which the causative link between natural resources and conflicts can be distinguished. The study further explores the role of good governance of natural resources in promoting socio-economic and people-centred development in Nigeria. <i>Methods: </i>The paper relied solely on secondary sources of data, focusing on the three main variables: conflict, politics and power. <i>Results:</i> The study revealed among others that the political economy of natural resources as embedded within the broader global power relations has not been properly explored by the Nigerian government. <i>Conclusion:</i> The paper therefore concludes that regulation must be attached to reflect on the principles of good governance, especially democracy, rule of law, transparency and accountability, as well as efficient and equitable management and distribution of resource revenues.