GOVERNANCE AND RESOURCES CONFLICTS THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Natural resources conflict, a growing phenomenon, affecting several states in the world, has become a Nigeria daunting challenges. These conflicts, arising from the struggle and disputes on gold, diamond, timber, crude oil, coal, uranium and lead deposits among others has greatly impeded the state, its people, economy and factors of sustainable development. Nigeria, severely hit by oil conflicts politics in its domain is greatly disturbed. This problem not only affects governance with damages, destructions and dislocations of the economy but had created unstable society, a lopsided shortfall depleting output and gains to affecting the means of livelihood, social civility, wages and income and the gross domestic product (GDP). This study utilises secondary data and adopted descriptive, analytical concepts and in-depth analysis approach. The study is situated on conflict and game theories. The study revealed that some of the oil producing states uses manipulative tendencies to taunt the government. The study also observed that the government in several respect had not treated the people well due to swapping of gain between the producing states and non-producing states. The study noted that there were general neglect, deprivation, frustration and abandonment meted out to the oil producing states, thereby informing the rise and incessant conflict and, face- off between the host communities, militants and government officials. The study suggests that government should adopt factors and instruments for sustainable development with capacities; capital infrastructure and human capital development to improving the living conditions.