1st International Conference on Government and Politics

March 20, 2015, Rangsit University, Thailand

Policy Change and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria:

A Case Study of the Niger Delta Region
Bright Onyekachi Egwim*

Abstract
The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has experienced environmental degradation, marginalization and
human rights violation that are consequent upon bad policies that led to conflict in the region. However, the
significance of policy change came into limelight in October, 2009, when the amnesty bill that gave
unconditional pardon to militants who fought against the Nigerian government was issued. The policy change
restored peace to the region.
As a result, this documentary research aims at analyzing the impact of policy change in resolving
conflict and building peace. Also, it will serve as a principle for achieving peace, and a framework or guideline
for further research with respect to the significant impact respect for human rights plays in peacebuilding.
Specifically, it answers questions on why the Nigerian government did change its policy to favor Niger
Deltas development. In addition to that, it provides answers to question about the role policy change played in
restoring peace to the region. However, an in-depth; face-to-face interview (qualitative research method) is
carried out with four key informants, hence, the outcome of the interview complemented by documentary
research reveals that the key drivers to the conflict is total neglect to the peoples yearning over the
environmental pollution and degradation, marginalization and human rights violation caused by the multinational oil companies through careless oil drilling executed under the on-shore and off-shore dichotomy
policy implemented by the former administration.
However, the unrelenting effort of the Niger Deltans in a continuous fight for the management of the
oil resources themselves resulted in the change of policy that led to the signing of the amnesty bill. Although,
the amnesty bill restored peace to the region, the government is yet to fulfill all its promises over the oil
resource control.
Keyword: Policy, Conflict, Peace in Nigeria, Human Rights, Amnesty

Introduction
"Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.... No one shall be
subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment....
*

Graduate School of Arts in Peace Studies and Diplomacy, Siam University; E-mail: brightest4chi@yahoo.co.uk

1st International Conference on Government and Politics

March 20, 2015, Rangsit University, Thailand
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being
of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and
necessary social services.... Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in
which ... rights and freedoms ... can be fully realized." --UN, 1945.
As good as it is, respect for the right to life, liberty and security of persons depends on the
preeminent policy that will ensure such rights. As a result, policy making has become nominal to every
government as it defines the weakness or effectiveness of different governments at different times and
places. However, the quality of such policies is relatively defined by its varied impact depending on how it
positively or negatively affects the public who needlessly have to live under such policies. This thus, creates
the demand for policy change. These demands in most cases escalate into disputes, conflicts and crisis when
the government refuses to listen to yearnings of its people. In response to this demand for policy change,
governments need to adhere to the needs of its citizens to make policies that are people inclusive in order to
achieve peace.
It is noted that the Nigerian government does not pay significant attention to the Niger Delta regions
environmental degradation caused by oil and gas exploration (Coarse, 1990: 1-2; Ikein, 1990). This is
because its policy does not give relevance to that. Consequently, the natives of the region have kept agitating
for a policy change. This has escalated to violence resulting in kidnappings, arms proliferation and killings.
The governments refusal to yield to their demands fuelled violence coupled with tensions between
the foreign oil corporations and a number of the Niger Delta's minority ethnic groups who felt that they were
being exploited, particularly the Ogoni as well as the Ijaw in the late 1990s. Ethnic and political unrest broke
out and continued throughout the 1990s and persists through 2007 despite the conversion to democracy
and the election of the Obasanjo government in 1999. Competition for oil wealth fueled violence between
innumerable ethnic groups, causing the militarization of nearly the entire region by ethnic militia groups as well
as Nigerian military and police forces (notably the Nigerian Mobile Police).
However, after the submission of President Yaraduas constituted Niger Delta Technical Committees
Report, on June 26, 2009, the Nigerian Government announced that it would grant Amnesty and an
unconditional pardon to Militants in the Niger Delta which would last for 60 days beginning on 6 August,
2009 and ending 4 October 2009. Former Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua signed the amnesty bill
after consultation with the National Council of State. During the 60 day period, armed youths were required to
surrender their weapons to the Government in return for training and rehabilitation by the government. During
the 60 day period, militants led their groups to surrender weapons which includes; Rocket-propelled
grenades, guns, explosives, ammunition and even gunboats have all been surrendered to the government.
Below is the time frame for the Niger Delta crisis in Nigeria.
1957-1991 = Oil exploration, empty promises, land ownership transfer from citizens to government,
environmental, social, and economic apparatus rapidly deteriorating.
1992-1993 = The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) was formed. Its primary
targets; the Nigerian government and Royal Dutch Shell. The conflict between Ogonis and the oil infrastructure
escalated to a level of greater seriousness and intensity on both sides. Both parties began carrying out acts of
violence; the government banned public gatherings and declaring that disturbances of oil production were acts
of treason. Oil extraction from the territory reduced.
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1st International Conference on Government and Politics

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1994-2008 = Governments repression, acquisition of warships by militants, more pressure and
fights, kidnapping and killings, military crackdown, formation of the NDDC, and the Niger Delta Development
Commission
2009-Date = Amnesty, surrender of weapon in exchange for training, peace and development

Objectives
1. To analyze policy change and conflict resolution thereby, building peace
2. To highlight the significant impact human rights plays in peacebuilding process.
3. To add to the body of knowledge, serve as a principle for achieving peace, and a framework or
guideline for further research.

Method
The study and pattern for policy change and conflict resolution in Nigeria: a case study of the Niger
Delta takes the form of a social research that is often conducted in situations that do not permit the kinds of
probability samples used in large-scale social surveys so, this is one of such. Thus, a nonprobability
(purposive) sampling is used in conducting this research. This is because this study focuses on a subset of a
larger population in which many members of the subset are easily identified but the enumeration of them all
would be nearly impossible.
Therefore, a survey method (qualitative) is applied for this research study. Also, in the course of this
research, interview is conducted with four interviewees in order to analyze the key drivers to the conflict in the
region, why the policy change that resulted to the grant of amnesty occur and how it led to peace in the
region. However, the criteria for the interview are as follows: The interviewee should be aware of the Niger
Delta crisis and, be knowledgeable on the significance of policy change in resolving conflicts and achieving
peace in a country.
Also, the nature of the Niger Delta crisis makes it a public gaze. As such, there are enormous data to
collect on this regard. Notwithstanding, the researcher has selected those that serve the focus of this
research through a face to face interview. This is because; the need to collect an accurate, precise, deeper
and clearer picture of the data is of a high priority to this research interest as it will be used to support
findings from this documentary research. So, this method of data collection can be described as a
documentary research because it undertakes an open approach towards the collection of primary and
secondary data. Below is the name list of key informants for this research work;
1. Mr.Jalo Adamasa Gaiyus: The Consular General, Nigeria Embassy, Bangkok
2. Mr.Egwim Ugochukwu Kingsley: Niger Delta resident, Niger Delta, Nigeria
3. Ifiok Kris Ekanen: The Chief Officer, Nigeria Naval Base, Niger Delta
4. Alanna Hartzok: Director, Earth Rights Institute, Niger Delta

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Research findings
This research study investigates policy change and conflict resolution in the Niger Delta region of
Nigeria. According to the director, Earth Right Institute, Alanna Hartzok, the region is rich in natural resources
ranging from crude oil to natural gas to mention a few. So, this research work also studies the policy that
assumedly, resolved the Niger Delta crisis hence, restoring peace to the region. Furthermore, the findings are
synchronized in the key expected findings for this research. However, the structure for these findings and
analysis will be aligned with the conceptual framework in order to fit into the situation in the Niger Delta as
follows;
Government Policy (Leadership)
Government policy play crucial role on the development of a country or its underdevelopment. As
such, these findings reveal why the Nigerian government did change its policy to favor Niger Deltas
development and the significant role that policy change play in restoring peace to the region
According to the data analysis, the Niger Delta region suffers from a bad government. Mr.Jalo
Adamasa Gaiyus, Consular General of the Nigerian Embassy, Bangkok viewed that the Niger Delta people
suffer from a selfish, wicked and bad government that neglects the suffering of the people due to human
rights violation, environmental pollution and deprivation of their source of living. In his words, this form of
marginalization to me is one of the key drivers of the conflict that led to the formation of militant groups.
In addition, Alanna Hartzok viewed that the discovery of oil and the fact that the oil profits have not
gone to further the development and well-being of the people (that is, the resource curse of mineral wealth
led to impoverishment and environmental degradation. Thus, the traditional livelihood of the people (fishing
for instance) has been harmed because the delta water has been polluted and abused by the foreign
corporations interested in the oil and yet the government seems willing to give immunity to them. This
aggravated tensions and crisis that amounted to the governments use of force.
Agreeably, the Nigerians are not easy to dialogue with; however, the use of force is highly disagreed
upon. According to Mr.Egwim Kingsley, a Niger Delta resident, as a matter of fact, the Nigerian Governments
use of force in the conflict could not quiet the crisis because violence has never been a successful means for
conflict resolution. In his view, No, think of it, is it good for someone to come to your house and use force
on you to get something? I seriously disagree with the governments use of force on us.
However, in the attempt to resolve the conflict, the idea for dialogue was conceptualized which is a
modern approach thus, proved successful.
Democratic Patterns
A key factor leading to policy changes is the democratic pattern that encourages freedom of speech
in a countrys system of government. Thus, the relentless effort of the militants to keep fighting the
government until they are heard is one key factor that led to the policy change. In a related development,
Mr.Ifiok Kris Ekanen, Chief Officer, Nigeria Naval Base, viewed that they refused to allow the multinational oil
companies to come close to their offshore terminals to extract oil. As a result, Nigerias economy was really

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tampered with, so that they had no choice than to stop the use of force and offered (the youths) amnesty
while other promises come later.
Furthermore, the Nigerian government felt to stop the use of force because it was not yielding the
much expected result; hence, the need to try another approach (amnesty) used by other countries in conflict
resolution and it worked. In his words, Mr.Jalo Adamasa Gaiyus, viewed that, someone decided that an eye
for an eye, a tooth for a tooth made everyone blind and toothless so, the Nigerian government did make an
effort to contain the situation especially when local militants increased the insecurity in the already devastated
region. Amnesty was one way to make the militants give up their weapons and enter into rehabilitation
programs. They did that because the world community is also against the Nigeria governments treatment of
the Niger Deltans.
The amnesty programme brought peace. People were carried along, the grassroots people were
involved. The government gave complete pardon to the militants in exchange for development and that was the
beginning of peace. However, there are still a lot of human rights wanting in the Niger Delta region, especially,
with the rise of local militants. Even though amnesty was granted, the area is still dangerous with construction
workers being kidnapped as of 2014. Alanna Hartzok, Director, Earth Right Institute viewed that I wouldnt
say that there has been a sustained peace in the region yet even though the conflict has significantly
reduced. Also, Mr.Egwim Ugochukwu Kingsley, viewed that peace is not yet restored fully because Nigeria is
too tricky, if they say that they will build a road for you and you go sitting to wait for them, you will be later
frustrated by that same government that promised to build your roads. Nigeria government is running out of
good leaders, what we have now are rulers. So the peace can only be restored fully if they will do all they
promised. Examples are resources control, developing the region, and putting the necessary infrastructure in
place, so that Niger Deltans can benefit from their own God blessed region.
Also, Mr.Jalo Adamasa Gaiyus, Consular General, Nigeria Embassy, Bangkok, viewed that, a factor
leading to policy change is the high rate of unemployment. This is because a significant number of the Niger
Deltans are unemployed graduates. So, if the number of graduates on the streets is offered job placements,
there wouldnt be conflict. In addition, if programs and developments that enhance human welfare, hu man
rights and environmental development are implemented in the policies made, the level of conflict is most likely
to reduce.
Public Participation
Citizens involvement in policy formation process is important for peace and development because the
policies that are made without the people being involved cause them to rebel just as we have seen so far. For
instance, Mr.Egwim Kingsley viewed that in Nigeria where their major income accrues from oil revenue, the
regions where these oil wealth are flowing out from were undeveloped, so the people revolt against their
country by fighting for their legal rights, that is when the citizens get involved in policy formation but, if it is a
very good country that love its people, things will be put in place.
Relatively, Alanna Hartzok, Director, Earth Right Institute viewed that, the present Nigeria
government policies are not people oriented. In other words, if public participation is encouraged, Nigeria
would be advanced over the United States. This means that there is the need to establish a participatory
democracy which will contribute to the election of a good leader of their choice. The new leaders will be the

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ones who also encourage the people to lead, and who will listen to the people and enable them to listen to
each other, and to work well together to solve problems.
As stated earlier, there can be no real resolution if the Niger Deltans are not involved in the peace
talks or policy making regarding the wealth in the region. This is because not only will the Niger Deltans view it
as an injustice should they be snubbed from their regional wealth, but it will also be a human right injustice as
it is home to the Niger Deltans and not the rich foreign corporations.
Therefore, the decision of the Nigeria government to dialogue with the Niger Deltans was one positive
step ahead in disarming the militants. According to Mr.Jalo Adamasa Gaiyus, Consular General, Nigeria
Embassy, Bangkok, this step helped considerably as there was tremendous reduction of illicit arms parade
and illegally armed men. This is because disarming the Militants is a key step in bringing peace to the Niger
Delta. However, changing the mindset of these militants through rehabilitation is much more promising
towards peace. Mr.Egwim Ugochukwu Kingsley, a Niger Delta resident viewed that, it helped the country
Nigeria because without it, it is either there will be no Nigeria or the whole region would have been on fire.
Furthermore, the amnesty programme brought peace. People were carried along, and the grassroots
people were involved. In a related development, Alanna Hartzok, Director, Earth Right Institute viewed that,
the government gave complete pardon to the militants in exchange for development and that was the
beginning of peace though there are still a lot of human rights wanting in the Niger Delta region especially with
the rise of local militants. According to Allan, however, participatory democracy and economic democracy are
needed to be clarified as both are two distinct aspects of democracy that facilitated the conflict.
In a distinctive view, Mr.Egwim Ugochukwu Kingsley, a Niger delta resident viewed that the Nigerian
government had to promise the Niger Deltans resource ownership and revenue distribution in order to ensure
peace in the region. Thus, the promise of the regions resources control, development, and putting the
necessary infrastructure in place, so that the Niger Deltans can benefit from their own God blessed region
also, helped restored peace to the region. In other words, once human welfare, human rights and
environmental development are implemented in the Nigeria government policies, the level of conflict is most
likely to reduce thus, building a relatively sustained peace.

Conclusion and Recommendation

It is quite obvious that the desire of perhaps all states is security, safety and the respect of the
rights that provide such atmosphere for the sustenance of peace. One of such is policy change and
implementation of such policy or policies. The Nigeria government is not an exception, the recent Niger Delta
oil crisis has crystalized Nigeria governments utter disrespect for human rights, underdevelopment, negligence
and impoverishment of people who sit on oil wealth with empty stomachs.
While this scenario brought about an aggravated conflict, the Nigeria government tries to suppress
and oppress these people with forceful means regardless of the fact that the Niger Deltans are the rightful
owner of the oil wealth.
However, the 2009 amnesty programme introduced by the then president Umaru Yaradua brought
about relative peace to the region. Although, there was a considerable peace, findings from this research work
shows that if policies that focus on human welfare and environmental developments are made, there will be

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less or no conflicts than assumed. Also, if steady peacebuilding is engaged upon, it will be needless to
engage in violent confrontations and the use of force. Thus, if the Nigeria government enhances welfare,
create jobs, develop the environment and build structures that facilitate peaceful coexistence, steady peace
will be ensured as the Niger Deltans will be actively engaged in more productive activities instead of wasting
precious time being unproductive. In other words, the use of force is not the best way to resolve conflict
between any parties.
Although the Nigeria government came to realize its mistakes and offered amnesty which assumedly
restored peace to the region, didnt span many years. There have been recent kidnappings which puts the
governments amnesty into critical examination as it seemed to have served the immediate needs of the
Nigeria government at that point in time. However, if the Nigeria government is really serious about bettering
the lives of the Niger Deltans, there is need for structures, infrastructures and institutions that maintains and
promotes peace in the whole region. This institution should create an avenue where the people and the
government leaders can meet and discuss issues of most concern, problems and success appraisal. Lastly,
the government should confer to each state in Nigeria the right to control its resources. This will enhance
peace as economic democracy is different from political democracy.

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