The Niger Delta: Conflict, Oil, and a Path to Sustainable Peace

Atukpa Dakoru leads AfCAS (Africa Conflict and Security Consulting Ltd.), the Africa-hub of INCAS, headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria. But his roots lie in the Niger Delta—a region rich in oil but most famous for environmental devastation and conflict. Recently, the Nigerian government proposed expanding oil production in the Niger Delta after a three-decade hiatus, placing the region back in the national and international spotlight. In this personal account, Atukpa explores the historical roots of conflict, pathways to resolve the many conflicts in the Niger Delta, and the role of AfCAS in it all.

Here are edited excerpts of our conversation:

A Childhood in the Niger Delta and the Roots of Conflict

I was born and raised in Bayelsa State, at the heart of the Niger Delta, in Ogbia Kingdom—the first place in Nigeria for oil to be discovered in commercial quantities. From an early age, I saw my people struggle with the paradox of wealth and neglect. Our resources fuelled Nigeria’s economy, yet we remained underdeveloped.

By the 1980s and early 1990s, the primary demand of Niger Delta communities was simple: a fair share of the wealth extracted from our land. Crude oil is Nigeria’s economic backbone, and the Niger Delta produces the vast majority of it. It seemed only just that the region should benefit from its own resources.

However, exploitation came at a high cost. Decades of oil spills, deforestation, and pollution ravaged the environment and local livelihoods. Agriculture—one of the main sources of employment—was decimated, as pollution poisoned the soil, waterways, and forests. Despite Bayelsa producing 30-40% of Nigeria’s oil and gas in 2015, its people remained among the poorest in the country. By 2022, 2.61 million of Bayelsa’s 2.9 million residents were living in extreme poverty.

This deep-seated frustration and despair fuelled the armed conflicts of the late 1990s and early 2000s, as militants took up arms against the state. In 2009, the Nigerian government intervened, launching an amnesty programme that granted ex-militants a path to reintegration in exchange for surrendering their weapons.

This was the landscape in which my work in conflict resolution and peacebuilding began. Between 2002 and 2004, I was part of mediation efforts in the creeks of the Niger Delta that ultimately contributed to the amnesty programme. This initiative brought about demilitarisation and a fragile peace, but the challenges didn’t end there.

New Threats: The Rise of Illegal Oil Refineries

Despite the positive strides of the amnesty programme, new threats have emerged. One of the most significant is the rise of illegal oil refineries, operated by a complex network of actors—including cultists, ex-militants, military personnel, government insiders, and oil industry figures.

A 2020 EU-funded study estimated that 20% of the Niger Delta’s oil is stolen, illegally refined, or diverted. Because these makeshift refineries use crude methods, they inflict even greater environmental destruction than the multinational oil firms once did. The pollution is relentless, devastating fishing, farming, and other local livelihoods.

Some might assume that this illegal industry benefits the local population, but in reality, it has exacerbated poverty. With agriculture and fishing in steep decline, many Niger Delta communities are now poorer than before. Ironically, it is local actors, in collaboration with external groups, who are driving this new wave of environmental destruction.

Ongoing Conflict and the Role of AfCAS

These challenges have sparked new conflicts. The federal government opposes illegal refineries, but so do local communities, whose livelihoods are being wiped out by pollution. In the past, AfCAS has played a key role in resolving disputes between oil companies, communities, and militants, as well as in environmental remediation efforts.

Through this work, we’ve engaged both oil companies and illegal refinery operators, emphasising the long-term consequences of their actions. Our message is clear: the Niger Delta must not only sustain today’s population but future generations as well.

However, this isn’t an easy conversation. For many in the region, economic survival comes first, while environmental concerns are secondary. When we challenge illegal refinery workers on the damage they cause, their response is often: "What else can we do? How will we survive?" Even those who dislike the illegal oil trade see no viable alternatives.

The Way Forward: Economic Alternatives and Dialogue

To truly reverse environmental degradation, we must provide alternative sources of income for local communities. Without economic solutions, it is unrealistic to expect environmental restoration efforts to gain traction.

The private sector has a crucial role to play. Oil companies that have historically contributed to environmental devastation must now help rebuild the region. Some firms have already taken positive steps:

• Shell’s LiveWIRE Nigeria programme (launched in 2003) successfully trained young entrepreneurs and provided start-up capital.
• The UNEP-led environmental remediation initiative (following a 2011 assessment of Ogoniland) recommended a $1 billion Environmental Restoration Fund, to be co-funded by Shell, the Nigerian government, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

These examples prove that collaboration between corporations, government agencies, and local communities can drive positive change. However, such initiatives must be scaled up and sustained.

If we want true environmental remediation and conflict resolution, we need: ✅ More economic alternatives for those engaged in illegal oil trade. ✅ Expanded corporate investment in local job creation and sustainable enterprises. ✅ Increased funding for environmental clean-up efforts. ✅ Stronger collaboration between local communities, international agencies, and the private sector.

AfCAS: Committed to Peace, Development, and a Sustainable Future

AfCAS (and INCAS) was born in the Niger Delta and we remain true to our roots. Our support continues for conflict resolution, social impact, and environmental peacebuilding in the Niger Delta. We continue to work with stakeholders from all sectors—government, private industry, ex-militants, and local communities—to help create a region where people can not only live in peace but thrive economically and environmentally. The road ahead is long, but by addressing the economic drivers of conflict and degradation, we can build a sustainable and just future for the Niger Delta.