Conflict Drivers: Environmental Degradation and Corruption in the Niger Delta Region

This paper examines the roles of environmental degradation and corruption in fueling conflicts in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It argues that while environmental degradation caused by the oil industry limits the utilization of the environment by the Niger Delta people, corruption by public officials in the Niger Delta region robs the local people of the developmental benefits accruable from oil revenues. This has undermined economic and social development that has triggered violent expression of dissent in the Niger Delta. The paper concludes that current efforts at restoring peace may not be successful if they fail to address the twin issues of environmental degradation and corruption in the region.