OIL EXPLORATION AND ITS IMPLICATION ON THE RURAL FARMERS IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA

This study examines the implication of oil exploration on the rural farmers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The main objective is to examine the impact oil exploration on the farmers in the rural area of Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.  The Frustration-Aggression theory and the Relative Deprivation theory were used to provide academic foundation to this study. It was revealed that the forceful acquisition of land by both the Federal Government and the multinational oil companies have greatly reduced the land for agriculture in Niger Delta. This has negative effects on agricultural production and the available food produced. The problem is compounded by incessant oil spillages and flaring of gases that affected the growth of crops and its productivity. It was discovered that the high cost of food in the Niger Delta is also attributed to crop destruction by oil spillages laying of pipes and flow stations flaring of dangerous gases and the acquisition of so many hectares of land by oil multinational companies. It was therefore recommended that commensurate compensation should be paid to the land owners whose lands were used for oil exploration activities, and flaring of dangerous gases to close to human habitation should be stopped because it has adverse effects on their health and crops.