Oil, corruption and development in the Niger Delta

What is it about?

This article explores the conflicting position between the Niger Delta's resource wealth and the poverty of it's inhabitants and how corruption has hampered the work of state development agencies. It then explores the development projects run by oil companies working in the region through a case-study of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). This section concludes that whilst they are useful, they only provide a fraction of the necessary development needed for the Niger Delta. The article finishes by setting out why a partnership between the state, oil companies and civil society managed by the UN will help neutralise state corruption and provide the necessary levels of development.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This article will help show why partnerships between nation states and businesses are so integral to the fulfilment of socio-economic development. However, given the endemic nature of corruption in Nigeria, this article will show why an enhanced form of partnership involving a UN agency will help combat this problem and provide a more coordinated and thorough approach.