The Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Niger Delta: A Historical Discourse on Insecurity and Demographic Transition

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria was known for endowment with oil, its aquatic splendour and wealth creation. The relative advantage of its cities blurred the inherent multidimensional consequences of oil exploration and exploitation on the physical and social environments. With time however, the cumulative negative effects of environmental degradation on the health, wellbeing and socio-economic lives of inhabitants became quite obvious. The people’s agony was exacerbated by government neglect which accounted for the amplification of frustration and aggression among a large majority of the poor in the area. As a result, different categories of the people became activists who were seemingly committed to protests against environmental degradation through petitions, advocacy and peaceful rallies. Over time, these legitimate means evolved into militancy, proliferation of thugs and assassinations. Consequently, Niger Delta communities became synonymous with insecurity, pseudo-governance and youth restiveness. This paper attempts to examine the trends and dimensions of the unholy dynamics that drive demographic transition in the region by highlighting the connections between the dilemma of a failed state, insecurity and underdevelopment with a view to suggesting possible remedies.