NIGER DELTA CRISIS: IT’S IMPACT ON NIGERIANATIONAL SECURITY (2010-2021)

Abstract The Niger Delta crisis presents a multifaceted challenge to Nigeria’s national security, intertwining historical injustices, economic disparities, and environmental degradation. This study navigates the roots of the crisis, assessing its implications for national security and proposing sustainable solutions. The historical exploitation of the Delta’s resources, economic inequalities, and political marginalization have collectively fueled deep-seated grievance, giving rise to complex conflicts marked by violence, militancy, and environmental degradation. The research adopted the Resource Curse Theory, methodology, combining both exploratory and conclusive approaches; a qualitative lens is employed to scrutinize the impact of the crisis on Nigeria’s national security. The research design, data collection, and analysis strategies are tailored to uncover the interconnected dynamics of economic, historical, and environment factors. Through a meticulous data presentation and analysis unveiling patterns, validating hypotheses, and providing a nuanced understanding of the crisis. The economic, historical, and environmental dimensions are scrutinized, enriching comprehension of the complexities involved. The interconnectedness underscores the need for holistic approaches to address the root causes. Findings highlight the historical neglect of the Delta, economic inequalities perpetuated by resource extraction, and serve environmental consequences. The crisis manifest in economic instability, challenges to territory integrity, threats to human security, and resource-based conflicts. Recommendation encompass inclusive governance, environmental remediation, economic diversification, conflict resolution, social infrastructure development, legal reforms, and community-based programs, tailored for government, local communities, and international stakeholders.