Nigeria, Oil, & Economic Unrest By Chelcie Abajian and Melissa DeWolf

Nigeria  Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil supplier.  Most of Nigeria’s oil fields are found in the swamps of the Niger Delta, an oil- rich region. Niger Delta

Nigeria’s Oil  Economy heavily relies on the sell of oil  It is among the world’s top oil producing countries.  Oil exploration has been going on for more than four decades.  Most oil refineries are jointly or separately owned by a foreign company, private company, or the government.

For example: The Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited is the second largest jointly run oil refinery. -The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) owns 60% -Texas-based Exxon Mobil owns 40%.

Different Oil Refineries Oil refinery, Kaduna, Nigeria Nigerian Oil equipment

Shell Companies  There are 4 major Shell Companies located in Nigeria  Shell companies have worsened fighting in the Niger Delta through payments - for land use -environmental damage -corruption of company -reliance on Nigerian security forces.

Problems  The Niger Delta is the main location of ongoing social conflict and political violence.  Petroleum industry generates money for government but not for native Nigerians.  Oil companies are using foreign workers.  -Oil spills -oil drilling -dredging swamp waters -natural gas flares have caused many environmental problems in Nigeria.  Favoritism among government officials “There is a symbiotic relationship between the military dictatorship and the multinational companies who grease the palms of those who rule.... They are assassins in foreign lands. They drill and they kill in Nigeria.” -- Assassins in Foreign Lands, A CorpWatch Radio Interview with Human Rights Activist Oronto DouglasAssassins in Foreign Lands

The Nigerians Fight Back  Many protests have been held by the Native communities  Lawsuits against oil companies have been filed  Many activists have sabotaged oil pipelines. Many Nigerians are fleeing the Niger Delta area Many motorists rely on black market fuel

Examples:  In July women protested at a Chevron oil terminal, trapping about 800 workers.  The women wanted better payment for their families.  This lasted for 8 days.

Reactions From the Global Community  US, England and the European Union imposed sanctions against the Abacha regime because of the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa in 1995

Ken Saro-Wiwa  Ken Saro-Wiwa was an activist and writer who protested against Shell’s projects that damage the native land of the Ogoni people.  He was executed in 1995 by the Abacha Government.

Oil Companies Make Changes  Oil companies are making efforts to better integrate the oil sector and the native population.  Proposed development projects which would help the environmental problems.  Many of the problems are still not being addressed or taken care of.

The Government Makes Changes  The government under President Obassanjo has tried to improve the relations between the oil companies and the natives.  Obassanjo has proposed many plans for the future.  The government maintains an optimistic view  Many of the problems are still not being addressed

President Abacha  Ran a military regime  Abused human rights  Executed 9 political activists in (Including Ken Saro-Wiwa)  Supported by Hausa-Fulani  Expected to win the Presidential elections in 1998 because of him promise to return the country to civilian rule  Died in April 1998 because of a heart attack.

President Obassanjo  Military regime in 1970s  Civilian regime in 1999  Imprisoned by President Abacha in mid 1990s  Yoruba Tribe  Unable to take the country out of economic hardships and political unrest

C E R A S E  Centre For Environmental Resources and Sustainable Ecosystems  Is leading a program, which its goal is to improve the capacity of the local people in the Niger Delta, without waiting for government intervention.

Bibliography Janice Limson. “Indigenous Plants to the Rescue. Environmental remediation in Nigerian oil regions.” Science in Africa { Elizabeth Harper. “Nigeria in Transition.” Online News Hour. July /3/04. { Anup Shah. “Conflicts in Africa, Nigeria and Oil.” Global Issues. July { “Nigeria Union Calls Second Strike.” BBC NEWS. October 31, BBC NEWS { “More Oil Unrest for Nigeria.” CNN MONEY. October 31, CNN { “Nigeria.” Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia MSN Encarta {