The Niger Delta People have a reason to fight
The Niger Delta has long been a crucible of conflict, resentment, and resistance. As someone from Nigeria’s northern region, I confess I once misunderstood the people of the Niger Delta. We were misled to perceive them as greedy, hostile, and unwilling to share “our” collective oil wealth. We believed their struggles were unjustified, their militancy unprovoked. But that belief collapsed when I began to ask difficult questions about the realities of that region—questions born from observing similar patterns of marginalization across the country.
Today, I understand that Niger Deltans are not irrational agitators. They are victims of systematic neglect, political oppression, and economic exploitation. What appears to be militancy is a cry for justice that has echoed for decades but fallen on deaf ears.
A Region Rich in Oil, Poor in Justice
Despite being the economic engine of Nigeria—producing over 80% of the nation’s government revenue—the Niger Delta remains shockingly underdeveloped. Infrastructure is poor, basic services are scarce, and the people suffer in silence or resistance. It is within this context that one must understand the rise of militancy, agitation, and unrest in the region.
1. The Ogoni Tragedy
Oil exploration began in Ogoniland in 1957. What followed was a tragedy of displacement, environmental degradation, and state-sponsored violence. Without proper consultation, entire communities were uprooted. Compensation, where offered, was negligible. The 1979 constitutional amendments further disenfranchised the local population by vesting mineral rights in the federal government, ignoring the rights of the original landowners.
In May 1994, a military crackdown led to the killing of four Ogoni chiefs. Over the following months, villages were razed, thousands were displaced, and hundreds lost their lives. In a deeply controversial move, the Nigerian government executed nine Ogoni activists, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, following a trial marred by bribery and international condemnation. Despite calls for investigation, justice remains elusive.
2. The Ijaw Uprising
In the late 1990s, the Ijaw people sought dialogue, not war. Youths under the Ijaw Youth Council wrote a peaceful declaration demanding equity from oil companies and the federal government. The response was brutal: over 10,000 troops were deployed to their communities. The Odi Massacre became a national scar—civilians, including a child and a community leader, were killed in cold blood. Rape, arson, and arbitrary arrests followed. The people were silenced by gunfire, not dialogue.
3. Broken Promises
Institutions created to heal the region—such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs—have largely failed. NDDC, tasked with executing a 25-year master plan, became a symbol of mismanagement and corruption. Over ₦700 billion was owed during the Obasanjo and Yar’Adua administrations alone. Projects were abandoned, funds misappropriated, and hopes dashed.
The Ministry, though well-intentioned, lacks clear evidence of its effectiveness. Billions have been allocated to roads, housing, and skills centers—yet the region remains impoverished.
4. The Ownership Paradox
It is a bitter irony that over 80% of oil wells in the Niger Delta are owned by individuals from outside the region, many from the North. To a local whose family has lived for generations on the land, this reality is deeply painful. This imbalance fuels resentment and makes talk of national unity sound hollow.
Consequences of Neglect
It is no surprise that neglect breeds resistance. Militants such as Mujahid Asari Dokubo of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF) and Ateke Tom of the Niger Delta Vigilante (NDV) emerged as a direct consequence of government indifference. Together, they created a sprawling network of militant cells. Their tactics—pipeline vandalism, kidnapping, and oil bunkering—crippled the Nigerian economy and exposed the state's vulnerability.
Between 2006 and 2008, the region became a war zone. Billions were lost, lives were wasted, and the environment was poisoned. The costs were high—both for the nation and the local communities.
A Delicate Dilemma
Today, the Niger Delta is a conundrum for the Nigerian government. A military solution risks international condemnation. Yet doing nothing risks further unrest. The government is stuck between action and inaction. But one truth is unavoidable: injustice cannot be swept under the carpet forever.
Militancy Is Not the Solution
As much as I empathize with the Niger Delta people, I must stress that armed struggle is not the answer. History has shown that violence only begets more violence. Instead, the region must embrace nonviolent resistance—just as the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) did in its time.
NEPU faced similar suppression yet chose peaceful protest, civil resistance, and strategic political engagement. Their story is proof that change is possible without bullets.
The Way Forward: A Call for Unity and Reform
If I were from the Niger Delta, I would fight for my people—not with weapons, but with unity, truth, and civic power. The future of the region lies in its ability to:
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Unite across ethnic lines and speak with one voice.
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Reject corruption within local and traditional leadership.
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Organize regular, peaceful protests to demand accountability.
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Pursue legal action against oil companies and the government for environmental and human rights violations.
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Elect credible representatives who understand and defend the region’s interests.
Nigeria Belongs to All of Us
Nigeria is one country. The Niger Delta is not an outpost—it is the beating heart of our economy. Alienating or destroying that heart is national suicide.
We must remember that our strength lies in unity. As Africa’s most populous and promising nation, we must preserve this gift. Disintegration is not the answer. We must fix what is broken—not abandon it.
Let us listen to the voices of the Niger Delta—not their guns. Their grievances are legitimate, their history tragic, their demands just.
Let justice flow like the rivers of their delta. Only then will peace truly return.
Mujahid Khalid Burumburum is a public affairs commentator and advocate for national unity.
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