Oligopolies of Violence in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

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Nigeria’s post-colonial history has been marked by hostilities especially in the Niger Delta. The challenge of understanding this quagmire as a first step to sustainable conflict transformation has been of major concern to scholars. This paper analyzes the processes and challenges underpinning the struggle for petroleum resources control in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It argues that oligopolies of violence are akin to the Niger Delta crisis. Subsequently, the paper posits that the empirical foundation for hostilities in post-colonial Niger Delta is entrenched in the colonial construction of the state and the nationalization of oil. Notably, the paper argues that exploitation of the political and economic space by the Niger Delta elites is responsible for the emergence of militia groups in the 21st century Niger Delta region, while detailing attempts by stakeholders to ensure sustainable peace and development in the region.