Abstract Four 2008

GLOBAL

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

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Volume Five Winter 2007-Spring 2008 Numbers 1-2.

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AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE BETWEEN STATES AND OIL FIRMS: CORPORATE SOCIAL IRRESPONSIBILITY

AND UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA

Felix M. Edoho

College of Business and Professional Studies

Lincoln University

Jefferson City, MO

Published Online: February 10, 2017

ABSTRACT

The ramifications of joint venture partnership between the Nigerian state and oil multinational corporations for sustainable development are explored. The partnership is characterized as an unholy alliance because of its detrimental impacts for environmental sustainability and livelihood of citizens. While the unholy alliance protects the corporate interests of oil multinationals, it perpetuates corporate social irresponsibility and unsustainable development. It also forecloses the prospects of enforcing regulatory standards in the oil industry. A three-pronged strategy is proposed to address the chronic problems of oil pollution in the Niger Delta region: a recommitment of the state to sustainable livelihood of its citizens is needed; a participatory environmental governance framework; and an autonomous judiciary to uphold the regulatory standards.