Governance of oil and gas sector in Nigeria : implications for biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Niger Delta region

Abstract

Given the persistence of environmental problems that characterise the oil producing communities (OPC) of Nigeria, often referred to as the Niger Delta region (NDR), this thesis examines the implication of the governance of oil and gas sector on the biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) in the region. The NDR is a coastal area that is most endowed in terms of BES and hosts exploration and production of oil and gas activities. However, the continued exploration and production of oil and gas is having deleterious impacts on BES which transcends government and oil and gas companies’ efforts to address them. This state of affair has been an issue of great concern nationally, calls therefore for the examination of the governance of the oil and gas sector with regards to conservation of BES. Informed by a review of academic literature, this thesis advances an interactive governance framework that promotes recognition and involvement of the various relevant actors/stakeholders, including local citizens in the governance of the sector. The study was conducted in two OPC in Nigeria and primary data was collected through a total of four focus group discussions, one workshop and 21 in-depth interviews, including at least one representative each from 11 government agencies, one representative each from three environmental NGOs, one representative each from both a Community-based Organisation and Hybrid organisation. Analysis of the data revealed that the governance of oil and gas sector has contributed to BES loss and degradation, which has ultimately exacerbated the conditions of living of the coastal communities. The empirical evidence equally suggests that BES degradation persists, because of bad leadership, corruption and the locals in the OPC whose values, norms and principles are supposed to be considered in policies and decision-making are not fully involved in the governance process. Additionally, the governing actors also lack the requisite capacity to perform. The study developed a schematic framework and concluded that interactive governance framework is a good antidote to illuminate the governance challenges as well as the various environmental problems including the degradation of BES that characterised the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.