MULTINATIONAL OIL COMPANIES AND INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON OIL DRILLING IN THE NIGER DELTA OF NIGERIA, 1956-2016

Abstract

The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, known for its oil production. It’s significance to the Nigerian economy is not to be overemphasized or down-played. The region’s boom as an economic hub predates the discovery of oil, thus it’s pre-colonial and colonial attractiveness in palm oil trade, it’s ever flourishing coastal estuaries that facilitate early contact with European merchants and colonial administrators is still fresh in history. Oil drilling began in the region in 1956, and the region has since become one of the most important oil-producing regions in Africa. The activities of multinational oil companies haven’t been a palatable experience to the indigenous communities and residents with events relating to unending human, economic and development consequences. Over the years, there have been several international conventions and agreements related to oil drilling in the Niger Delta. Some of these include the United Nation’s Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Paris Agreement on Climate change and the Kyoto Protocol. These conventions have set standards for oil drilling including regulations. This research paper is geared towards unraveling the issues surrounding oil drilling, activities of oil multinational corporations and the impacts of their activities on the livelihood of the people.