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

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.