Conflict Management as a Strategy for National Development: Nigeria’s Niger Delta Case

Abstract

The Niger Delta had for long been a place of serious contention between the state and various groups fighting for conscious environmental practice, resource control, and development. The region suffered neglect despite various levels of agitation and protests by the people during the military regime. Sustainable development is tied to sustainable peace. This paper examines the response of the State to the Niger Delta debacle and how the response to the Niger Delta debacle has contributed to the development of the country. Information was gathered from relevant literature. The importance of democratic governance and the role conflict management has played in the environmental security of the Niger Delta was established. The paper recommends that oil-producing companies and the government’s measures at conflict management should be increased so that national development will also improve.