ABSTRACT

This chapter compares the state of human and socioeconomic development in Nigeria drawing on the strategic place of the Niger Delta with those of oil-producing countries. It examines the factors explaining diversity in outcomes, and proffers steps that may help redress the gaps in the situation. The chapter summarizes the state of the literature on resource-abundance/dependence and socioeconomic performance. It provides a comparison of the performance of Nigeria in relation to a sample of oil-producing countries and progress made in relation to development in the Niger Delta region over the 25–30 years. This chapter evaluates available data on oil production and the developmental experiences of 29 oil-dependent countries consisting of those identified as hydrocarbon-dependent in the Stanford Oil Wealth Management Database and/or oil-producing countries included among resource-dependent states by the Resource Governance Institute. Compared to other oil-producing countries, Nigeria has not used its oil resources to improve the state of its economy, significantly create additional and alternative sources of wealth.