This article examines oil as a trope in Noo Saro-Wiwa’s Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria (2012) and Imbolo Mbue’s How Beautiful We Were (2021). These two texts are used comparatively to demonstrate how the petro-trope functions across both autobiographical travel writing and fictionalized narrative. It proceeds from the argument that oil in these texts is not merely a thematic backdrop but a recurrent figurative device through which the nation is imagined, indicted and reimagined. Drawing on postcolonial theories of the nation as narration, petrocriticism and postcolonial ecocriticism, and guided by a qualitative, interpretive design that combines close reading with thematic analysis, the study advances three claims. First, in Saro-Wiwa’s generically hybrid travelogue, oil operates as a trope of spectacle and deferred wealth, so that the nation appears as a mirage, flashy on the surface but crumbling within. Second, in Mbue’s novel, oil operates as a trope of curse and dispossession. Mbue uses magical realism to allow the oil-bearing community of Kosawa to emerge as a counter-nation whose spiritual cosmology resists the rationalities of both corporate institutions and the state. Third, read together, the texts narrate the petro-state as a betrayal of the independence promise, in which sovereignty is hollowed out by the alliance of political elites and foreign capital. The article concludes that oil, as trope, reconfigures nation-building from a story of development into a story of dispossession and witness, and that literary form is itself a political response to petro-modernity. Read more

The non-legal appropriation of crude oil from pipelines in Nigeria’s Niger Delta has resulted in severe socioeconomic and ecological consequences. This paper examines the problem drawing from the psychoanalytical philosophy of Frantz Fanon and the ecofeminist critique of Western dualism. Using a diagnostic, conceptual, and interpretative analytic methodology, it charts why global energy politics reproduces a structure of resource colonialism wherein international and national interests form a toxic synergy. This alliance intensified by global energy demands, generates environmental racism and slow violence. Oil theft represents a counter-violent trauma response to this violence embedded within the anthropocentric logic of contemporary resource governance. Therefore is symptomatic of an ontological crisis created by the colonial imposition of a dualistic schema. Militant factions and criminalized intermediaries emerge as reactive agents within this necro-political economy, which explains the ineffectiveness of top-down measures like the militarization of the Niger Delta. This paper advocates for the decolonization of resource governance through non-anthropocentric approaches informed by indigenous African (e.g., Ijo/Ijaw) non-dual relationality that emphasize care and ecological stewardship, repositioning nature as sacred kin. Read more

is study was carried out to examine the extent to which the Eco-Life Sustainability Marketing Practice of the Oil Firms: Shell BP, Agip Oil Company, and Elf Oil Company have improved the agricultural productivity of the oil-bearing communities in Niger Delta. A descriptive survey research design was employed in this study. The population of the study was 37,965,391 drawn from the Niger Delta States based on which, a sample size of 400 respondents was determined with the use of Taro Yamane’s sample size determination techniques at 0.5 percent level of significance. Purposive sampling procedure was employed to enable the researcher to select the representative sample elements of the population interest from relevant respondents who have adequate knowledge of the study under investigation from the different strata that makes up the population of the study. A structured instrument for data collection containing twenty (20) item questions was used for the study. The face and content validation of the instrument was obtained through the judgment of experts. A test-retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. The reliability index of .83 was obtained. The data collected for the study were analyzed using the mean score test and the percentage test method to answered the research questions; while the Z-score inferential statistics was used to test the null hypothesis at .05 level of significance. Results obtained revealed that “Eco-Life sustainability marketing activities of the oil firms does not significantly improved agricultural crops production, green agricultural market, marine agricultural economic production, and agricultural land fecundity for food production in the oil-bearing communities in Niger Delta”. The implication of this finding is identified in the reality that, “Oil firms’ Eco-Life sustainability marketing activities was considered to lack the needed proactive improvement content values, and if effective ethical based Eco-Life sustainability marketing effort is not employed - to create an improved sustainable environmental treasure; “Oil firms might experience unpredicted operational interruption by the oil-bearing communities”. It was therefore, recommended that oil firms should consider it necessary to employ proactive Eco-Life sustainability marketing efforts that considers ecological life value, and agricultural food production in a more ethical and responsible manner in its oil production activities with the socio-economic view to sustain the agricultural economic wellbeing of the oil-bearing communities in Niger Delta. Read more

Boroism has come to be associated with the fight for political recognition and resource control for the Ijo ethnic group in Nigeria's Niger Delta. A deep respect for the person of the late Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, especially in the face of injustice, poverty, exploitation, and persecution, gave rise to this belief system. Today, activists and militant groups fighting for resource control, political recognition, and equitable treatment from the federal government and other major tribes like the Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa/Fulani have made Boroism a core tenet of their beliefs. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to demonstrate how the principles and beliefs of the man known as Boro developed into a potent ideology that is currently serving as a symbol for hundreds of groups and individuals in the Niger Delta region in the struggle against political inequity, exploitation, and oppression. The study reveals that though there has been a shift from the fundamental principles of Boroism as some individuals and groups have started to use the Niger Delta struggle as a vehicle to further their own personal agenda and self-serving goals, by spiritedly pursuing the fight against the government, international oil companies, and private individuals that oppress and exploit the Niger Delta, those who sincerely adhere to the ideas of Boroism have managed to preserve the legacies of Boro. This study utilizes secondary sources of data for its analysis and would be descriptive and analytical in nature. Read more

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) was a policy thrust to tackle the intractable agitations and youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region due to utter neglect of the development of the region despite the enormous contributions to the national treasury from its rich-oil deposits and gas resources. Accordingly, this study uncovers human capital development in the Niger Delta states from the lens of the PAP. The study applied a quantitative research strategy with a structured questionnaire. A sample of 574 respondents was drawn through a multi-stage sampling design from 13, 254 chiefs, community leaders, youths and the staff of the amnesty office that serve as the target population of the study. From the primary and secondary data collected and analysed, the findings demonstrated that Presidential Amnesty programme had positive significant effect on vocational skills acquisition; a positive relationship between PAP and university educational advancement, there was a positive relationship between budgetary provision and human capital development among others. We concluded that the PAP has contributed to the human capital development of youths in the region. We recommended inter alia that the amnesty programme of the federal government of Nigeria should be committed to exposing ex-militants to vocational skill acquisition scheme to ensure self-reliance, and also should improve on the university educational advancement for ex-militants to acquire professional certification in the Niger Delta States. Read more

Water quality and biodiversity impacts are influenced by the physical and chemical properties of water. An annual study was carried out in Luubara Creek, located in the Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, spanning from April 2022 to March 2023. Throughout the study period, the water temperature in Luubara Creek fluctuated between 24.50 and 30.20 ºC, with an average of 27.17±1.39 ºC. Noteworthy variations were observed among stations 1, 2, 3, and 4. Over the course of the investigation year, the pH levels in Luubara Creek ranged from 6.16 to 0.55, indicating a tendency towards neutrality or acidity. The PH levels at the four stations (Wiiyaakara, Luubara, Duboro, and Bane) gradually transitioned from acidic to neutral, except for Station 4 (Bane). The average dissolved oxygen content was 4.68±1.56 throughout the study, with a statistically significant difference observed at Station 4 (p˂0.05). The mean conductivity of the creek during the study was 27.69 s/cm. The total alkalinity of the creek ranged from 5.23 to 84.74, with a mean value of 11.60±1.01. Station 1 exhibited a total alkalinity mean of 14.13± 3.54, while stations two, three, and four showed values of 8.03±1.61, 7.52±1.81, and 17.21±7.39, respectively. Phosphate levels at Station 1 ranged from 0.05–0.25, whereas at Stations 2, 3, and 4, they varied from 0.01–0.24, 0.05–0.15, and 0.07–0.25. The nitrate concentration during the study period was 0.54±0.46, with Station 1 recording a mean of 0.62±0.10, and Stations 2, 3, and 4 showing values of 0.48±0.30, 0.51±0.48, and 0.55±0.38, respectively. Both phosphate and nitrate levels fell within the recommended range set by SON. Read more

This study, through a review of existing literature, investigates the implications of non-standardized refineries on the mangrove ecosystem in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The Niger Delta region is home to one of the largest blue carbon sinks and mangrove ecosystems in the world, providing important habitat for a diverse range of species and playing a crucial role in carbon sequestration. However, the presence of non-standardized refineries in the area has raised concerns about the potential environmental impacts on the delicate ecosystem. These refineries often operate without regulations or oversight, leading to pollution of waterways, destruction of habitat for various species, and disruption of the natural food chain. This study examines the specific ways in which these non-standardized refineries are affecting the mangrove ecosystem and explores potential solutions to mitigate their negative effects. Findings from this study show that non-standardized refineries in the region are significant sources of pollution, leading to mangrove destruction. The study revealed the environmental issues, risks, and ecological significance of mangroves in the Niger Delta. The study emphasized the urgent need for better regulation and enforcement to protect these important mangrove habitats from further destruction. Finally, the study concluded that protecting the mangroves of the Niger Delta is essential for the overall health of the region. Read more

A study was conducted to determine the physicochemical parameters of surface water and heavy metal concentrations in the mudskipper (Periophthalmus papilio) fish, sediments, and water collected from the Ikpukulu, Kalio, and Ogoloma swamps of Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria and analysed using standard methods. All samples were collected for six months from three stations in 2023. The results indicate that pH and temperature values were significantly lower across stations in terms of physicochemical properties than standards. However, there was a significant increase in electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and salinity. Ikpukulu had the highest EC (1917 uS/cm), while Kalio had the highest salinity (333.3 ppm). All stations had significant decreases in dissolved oxygen (DO) and biological oxygen demand (BOD), with Ogoloma having the lowest values (DO: 3.2 mg/L, BOD: 2.9 mg/L). Copper and chromium levels were significantly higher than the standards in all stations, while cadmium levels were not significantly different from those in the standards. As compared with the standards, copper levels in water samples were considerably higher, especially in Ogoloma (2.03 mg/kg). Ogoloma had a higher concentration of chromium. Cadmium levels decreased significantly at all stations for the mudskipper (P. papilio). The copper levels in Ogoloma and the chromium levels in Ikpukulu were significantly higher than those in standards. The results of the study suggest an increase in heavy metal concentrations in the mangrove swamp region, emphasising the need for proactive measures to mitigate activities that may adversely affect the aquatic ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. Read more

This study aimed to evaluate the liquefaction potential of soils in Nembe Town, Bayelsa State located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria through probabilistic and deterministic analyses using Standard Penetration Test (SPT) data. The objectives were to characterize the subsurface stratigraphy and soil properties through field and laboratory investigations, develop predictive models for soil parameters using a regional database, and apply simplified procedures to assess liquefaction risk. Ten borehole locations were selected across the town where SPT, undisturbed and disturbed sampling was conducted to a depth of 30m. Index tests classified the soils and determined density, plasticity and composition trends with depth. Shear wave velocity measurements aided subsurface profiling. Empirical predictive models through regression correlated key properties with stress factors demonstrating accuracy in characterizing limited site data. Simplified procedures using corrected SPT-N values classified the upper 30m as NEHRP Site Class D and evaluated the factor of safety against liquefaction. The extensive investigation program provided a robust framework for deterministic and probabilistic seismic hazard assessments through subsurface profiling and model validation. Results reliably characterized the deposit stratigraphy, compositions and properties to evaluate liquefaction potential in the Niger Delta region. Read more

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is home to oil and gas exploration in Nigeria, and thus the mainstay of the economy. It comprises nine states of the Federation with a total population of 42.65 million people. According to the World Bank, oil accounts for 40% of Nigeria’s GDP, 70% of federal government revenues, and 95% foreign exchange earnings. Despite the economic benefit of the region, the adverse effect of oil exploration activities in the region poses socioeconomic challenges for the people. Our analyses identified some of the challenges to include: environmental degradation, high poverty levels, spiraling armed conflicts, poor infrastructure, and widespread unemployment, amongst others. This study discusses the extant legal frameworks aimed at addressing Niger Delta problems, and identified some gaps. Consequently, we proffered recommendations for the consideration of the National Assembly as follows: (1) The National Assembly should utilize its investigative hearing instrument to determine the level of compliance with the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board Act, 2010, and the Niger Delta Development Commission Act, 2000 in order to ensure that they fulfil their respective mandates. (2) The legislators from the Niger Delta Region should organize sensitization workshop for community leaders and youth groups on the benefit in working together to support NCDMB in realizing the objectives for which it was established, which can reduce the level of unemployment in the region. (3) The legislators from the region should call on the executive to expedite actions on cleaning up of the Ogoni community and other exploration-ravaged communities in the region, to address the problem of environmental degradation. (4) The National Assembly should investigate the activities and operations of JTF through oversight function to curb their excesses. This study concludes that the collaboration of all stakeholders in the Niger Delta region is necessary to accelerate the socioeconomic development of the region. Read more