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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE

NIGERIAn STATE, OIL INDUSTRY AND the NIGER DELTA

CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CALL FOR PAPERS
Venue:Cultural Center, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
Date: 11-13 March, 2008

The Niger Delta, one of the world's largest wetlands and homeland of several ethnic minorities, has by reason of its geographical location and oil resources occupied a strategic position in the formation, sustenance and survival of the Nigerian State, Yet, it remains one of the least developed regions of Nigeria, epitomizing one of the most pathetic paradoxes and contradictions of poverty in the midst of plenty. Since the 1990's, the region has been virtually overrun by communal unrest, crime and violent conflicts, which have further undermined its development.

Today, the most visible presence of the Nigerian state in the Niger Delta is perhaps not to be found in development projects but in heavy deployment of its coercive apparatus. In fact, the region can best be described as being at war with itself, the Nigerian state and the Multinational Oil Corporations operating there. What is responsible for this state of affairs? What is the role of the Nigerian state, the Niger Delta communities and the Multinational Oil Corporations? What are the historical, political, social and economic forces and factors underlining and fueling the crisis? What are the consequences of the situation on the environment? What can we learn from the experiences of other similarly situated people and places? What can be done to improve the situation? These are some of the issues which will be addressed during this conference.

The Department of Political Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa Sate, Nigeria now in its fifth year has decided, in spite of its young age, to take up the challenge of inviting scholars from all over the world to participate in a three day conference holding in the Heart of the Niger Delta at Wilberforce Island, Ammasoma.