Life

ustainable Rural Development in Nigeria Issues and Facts (Sharing Initiative of Total Exploration and
Production Nigeria Limited)

Emma Ifeanyi Ogueri
Niger Delta University, Willberforce Island - Department of Agric Economics & Rural Sociology

Vincent Nnadi
Total Exploration and Production - Sustainable Development & Public Affairs

OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 65-76, 2010

Abstract:    
Nigeria is blessed with natural resources especially hydrocarbons. Managing proceeds of resources to develop rural communities had created several conflicts.

International communities had long been contributing to development in Nigeria. International NGOs, Bilateral organizations, Multinational corporations have demonstrated sufficient interest in development issues of Nigeria. Surprisingly, more assistance in Nigeria means higher poverty and conflict levels. The population is at geometrical increase without corresponding increase in social amenities. Known cities are congested due to high rural-urban migration. Most Nigerians who could no longer bear the congestion associated discomforts had either legally migrated to developed countries or sought asylum.

Frequently asked questions included “what had happened to resources generated from oil and gas productions, what of the aid programmes of international organizations and the rural development initiatives of the multinational oil and gas industries. How come most communities are still very rural and basic amenities lacking”?

To address above questions, Fresh Development Rural Development Initiative, a Non Governmental Organization decided to x-ray challenges, issues and facts against sustainable rural development in Nigeria. Of particular concern was the participation of multinational oil and gas industries in rural development in Nigeria with a view to sharing any best practice.

Methodology adopted was social research using Participatory Rural Appraisal,... [continues]

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