How did oil and natural gas extraction affect the Niger delta?

The discovery and exploitation of petroleum in the Niger Delta have caused significant disruption to the region, particularly regarding its traditional economic activities.

The primary impact has been severe environmental degradation due to oil pollution, which has resulted in the death of most fish in the area. This has fundamentally undermined the local economy, as fishing serves as a specialized and vital occupation for many groups in the region, including the Ijo (Ijaw) people.1

While the broader Nigerian economy has been based primarily on the petroleum industry since the late 1960s, the reliance on this sector has created long-term instability. Fluctuations in the global oil market have contributed to ongoing economic crises, and the focus on oil extraction has often come at the expense of local livelihoods and sustainable agricultural development.2