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Early Resistance to Economic Exploitation in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
Vol.1 , No. 3, Publication Date: Sep. 20, 2018, Page: 121-124

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Authors

[1]	Aduke Ekundayo, Department of History and Diplomacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria.

Abstract

In recent times the Niger delta has become a very volatile zone. The surge of disturbances, civil as well armed conflicts dominated. Factors ranging from acute scarcity of land because of expanding oil activity, degradation of land and water due to oil pollution, exploitation by the multinationals, neglect in the midst of plenty, to expression of economic and political disparity are advanced for the crises. It is important to note that resistance to economic exploitation is not new in the history of the Niger Delta. Contrary to Akoda’s [1] assertion that Adaka Boro Saga of 1966 marked the beginning of a noticeable agitation in the Niger Delta, one make bold to say that the current happenings in the Niger Delta, had historical antecedents. There were series of early resistance to economic exploitation in the Niger Delta. This paper therefore gives a historical discourse on issues of economic control and management that triggered confrontations between the European merchants and the Niger Delta People. It highlights how the gradual penetration of the Europeans into the hinterland for economic control met with fierce reactions from the people. The paper concludes that the struggles for economic emancipation by the deltas, though very tough, were eventually subdued by superior British naval power.

Keywords

Exploitation, Resistance, Economy, Niger Delta

Reference

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