African Journal of Political Science

Review

Oil Wealth and the emergence of ethnic militia in the Nigerian political economy: Reflections on the Niger Delta region

Paul Oghenero Okumagba¹* and Okereka, Onofere Princewill²

¹Department of Sociology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

²Department of Political Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

Accepted 10 February, 2012

Abstract

This paper sets out to examine the phenomenon of ethnic militia groups in the Nigerian Political Economy, with emphasis on their emergence, purpose and the impact of their activities particularly in the Niger Delta Region. Relying on the relative deprivation and frustration — Aggression model, the paper traced the emergence of these groups to inequitable social relations that undergird the production and distribution of profits from oil, thereby leaving the Niger Delta people impoverished, neglected, hungry, marginalized, unemployed and economically bastardized. Among other things, the paper advocates the need to strengthen the structure and character of the Nigerian state in order to meet the needs and aspirations of the people. Government should also build social and physical infrastructures that will engender sustainable development in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.