IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL POLICY (JHSP )

E-ISSN 2545-5729
P-ISSN 2695 2416
VOL. 8 NO. 1 2022
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.56201/jhsp.v8.no1.2022.pg42.53

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Distributive Justice and the Niger Delta Question in Historical Perspective

Yahaya Abubakar, Musa Peter Onuche

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Abstract

Nigeria is currently the 10th largest oil producer in the world, accounting for about 1.4 million BPD in 2021, and the Niger Delta region is the storehouse of petroleum resources, which accounts for more than 80 percent of Nigeria’s revenue and more than 90 percent of the total exports. Regrettably, the region where this crude oil is produced is impoverished, ecologically degraded, and infrastructural underdeveloped, leading to a slew of violent clashes, kidnappings, and unrest (Akpan and Akpabio 2010). In this paper, we look at the concept of distributive justice as it relates to how oil profits are allocated and the region's overall development. We discovered that a number of factors, including politicization of benefits, revenue and infrastructure distribution, incorrect policies and programs, ethnic dominance, and the lack of transparent and accountable leadership, are real deprivers and captors of oil benefits, keeping the region perpetually poor and underdeveloped. The paper shows that real oil benefits do not trickle down to the Niger Delta region in a significant amount. The study will employ the analytical method which requires thorough understanding of the fundamental questions of benefits arising or accruing from oil exploration and sales in Nigeria with reference to the Niger Delta, and the recommendation herein from the fallout of the injustices in terms of distribution of benefits. Conclusion will be made from the discussion on the above topics

keywords:

Justice; Distributive; Niger Delta; Nigeria

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