SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OIL EXPLORATION AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC LIFE IN OGONI, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The commencement of oil exploration activities by shell in Ogoni land have generated economic and socio-political problems which have impacted negatively on their communities. Against this background, the study examined the changes that have occurred in the community since the advent of Shell in Ogoni land. This study utilized the combination of Modernization and Dependency theories to explain the activities of shell oil exploration and economic development of the Ogoni community. The study was conducted in six component compounds of Ogoni Local Government Area of Rivers state. Both quantitative and qualitative instruments were used to collect and analyse data.The findings show that the effects of shell operations have been experienced in every nook and cranny of Ogoni land. There was no job security for Ogoni people employed by shell because most of them where casual labourers whose services could be terminated without notice. The socio-economic and political lives of the people were affected negatively by shell oil exploration activities.The study concluded that shell oil exploration destroyed the Ogoni environment without any alternative economic means of livelihood provided to the teaming unemployed youths. It recommends that shell need to partner with its host communities in economic empowerment that promotes sustainable development and peace