Unlocking Peace and Prosperity: Tackling Nigeria’s Resource Curse through Improved Governance and Conflict Resolution

A recent article by Osawe, A. I., & Uwa, O. G. (2023) titled “Natural Resource Governance and Conflicts in Nigeria” published in British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies shows that Nigeria faces the resource curse, where abundant natural resources correlate with lower economic growth and development compared to resource-scarce countries.

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Nigeria’s resource curse, exacerbated by mismanaged natural resources, leads to conflicts, environmental degradation, and socio-economic challenges, hindering development and growth. – Osawe, A. I., & Uwa, O. G 2023

This paper explores the relationship between natural resource governance and conflicts in Nigeria. Out of concern, the author explores how the mismanagement of natural resources, especially oil, has contributed to the emergence and escalation of violent conflicts in different regions of the country. The article posits how the oil industry has caused environmental degradation, socio-economic marginalization, and political repression in the Niger Delta region, leading to the rise of militant groups and violent confrontations with the state and oil companies. The study examines how the exploitation of solid minerals, such as gold, tin, and columbite, has triggered inter-communal clashes, land disputes, and ethnic tensions in the Middle Belt region, where many mining communities are located. It analyzes how the competition over land and water resources has fueled the conflict between farmers and herders in the North Central and Northwest regions, resulting in widespread killings, displacement, and insecurity.
As a result of conflicts, the authors propose some policy recommendations for improving natural resource governance and promoting peacebuilding in Nigeria, such as strengthening the legal and institutional framework, enhancing transparency and accountability, ensuring equitable distribution and benefit-sharing, and fostering dialogue and participation among stakeholders.

Methodology

The authors employed data from various sources, such as the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The study used descriptive statistics and correlation analysis to examine the relationship between natural resource governance and conflicts in Nigeria. The study used qualitative methods to analyse the interview data which provided insights into the causes and consequences of the conflicts. The authors presented their findings in a logical and coherent manner, using tables, figures, and maps to illustrate the data.

Findings of the Study

The authors found that Nigeria suffers from the resource curse, which is the paradox that countries with abundant natural resources tend to have less economic growth and worse development outcomes than countries with fewer natural resources.
The authors found conflict dynamics in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, where violent clashes between local communities, militants, security forces, and oil companies have resulted in human rights violations, environmental degradation, and economic losses. The authors identified the governance challenges that hinder the effective management of natural resources in Nigeria, such as corruption, lack of transparency and accountability, weak institutions, poor service delivery, and social exclusion.

Implications of the Study

The study reveals that oil exploration and exploitation activities have caused severe environmental damage and health hazards to the local communities, as well as human rights abuses by the security forces and the oil companies. The study argues that the oil wealth has not translated into socio-economic development for the Niger Delta people, but rather has resulted in a paradox of poverty, corruption, and violence. The authors examine the causes and consequences of the ethnic conflicts and militancy in the Niger Delta, which have been fueled by the perceived marginalization, injustice, and environmental degradation of the region as well as the constitutional and political issues of federalism and resource control in Nigeria, which have been a source of contention and conflict between the federal government and the oil-producing states.

Recommendations for improving natural resource governance and promoting peacebuilding in Nigeria

• Strengthening the legal and institutional framework: The authors suggest that the Nigerian government should enact and implement laws and policies that ensure transparency, accountability, and participation in the management of natural resources. This would help to prevent corruption, mismanagement, and environmental degradation that fuel conflicts.
• Promoting dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders: The study recommends that the government, civil society, and private sector should engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation to address the root causes and consequences of natural resource conflicts. This would foster trust, mutual understanding, and shared responsibility among different groups and interests.
• Enhancing the capacity and role of local communities: The authors argue that local communities should be empowered and involved in the decision-making and benefit-sharing of natural resource exploitation. This would enhance their sense of ownership, protect their rights and livelihoods, and reduce their grievances and frustrations.
• Supporting alternative livelihoods and economic diversification: The study proposes that the government and development partners should provide support and incentives for the development of alternative livelihoods and economic diversification for the people affected by natural resource conflicts. This would reduce their dependence on and competition over scarce and volatile resources and create more opportunities for peace and development.
• Addressing the regional and international dimensions of natural resource conflicts: The study acknowledges that the natural resource conflicts in Nigeria are influenced by regional and international factors, such as cross-border smuggling, illicit trade, and foreign interference. Therefore, the authors call for more regional and international cooperation and coordination to tackle these challenges and promote peace and stability in Nigeria and beyond.

In conclusion, the study by Osawe, A. I., & Uwa, O. G. sheds light on the intricate relationship between natural resource governance and conflicts in Nigeria. Through a comprehensive analysis, the authors reveal the alarming consequences of mismanaging abundant resources, particularly in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. The findings underscore the urgent need for a multifaceted approach, including strengthened legal frameworks, transparent governance, and inclusive dialogue among stakeholders. The study’s implications underscore the severe environmental and socio-economic repercussions, emphasizing the imperative to address root causes and foster sustainable peace. The recommended measures, ranging from empowering local communities to addressing regional and international dimensions, provide a roadmap for Nigeria to navigate the challenges of resource governance and build a more prosperous and harmonious future.

AR Managing Editor (2023). Unlocking Peace and Prosperity: Tackling Nigeria’s Resource Curse through Improved Governance and Conflict Resolution. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/unlocking-peace-and-prosperity-tackling-nigerias-resource-curse-through-improved-governance-and-conflict-resolution/