The Economic Dimensions of the Niger Delta Ethnic Conflicts

Abstract

This paper presents a descriptive analysis of the remote and immediatecauses of the armed ethnic conflicts in the Niger Delta in Nigeria andattempts to proffer a strategic approach rather than the use of brute force inmanaging the conflicts. The study revealed that the underlying cause of theconflict is the prolonged discrimination against the ethnic nationalities in theNiger Delta in the sharing of the economic and political benefits of the oiland gas wealth of the region. Also the displacement of labour from thetraditional farming and fishing due to oil exploration and production,created a pool of unemployed youths who chose to take their destiny in their own hands through armed struggle. The paper recommends a strategictransformation of the Niger Delta region by establishing industries thatwould add value to the abundant oil and gas deposits that are beingproduced in the region. Unless jobs are created in the area to absorb theyouths, granting amnesty to unemployed hands will not be a long lastingsolution. Finally, ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region should begiven a sense of belonging in the sharing of economic and political benefitsarising from wealth creation in Nigeria.Key Words: Ethnic conflict, Niger Delta, State power, Discrimination, Oil,Gas.