Impacts of Oil Exploration (Oil and Gas Conflicts : Niger Delta as a Case Study)

Nigeria is the largest African oil exporter yet a large number of its population is living in abject poverty. There have been losses recorded which were caused by crude oil theft and spillage. As a result of the corruption happening in the country.Environmental Pollution caused by Oil prospecting and exploration in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria has impacted negatively on the biodiversity of the region. It has caused so much issues that has affected the habitation of the people who live there. This topic bothers also on the application of the resource curse theory and the sustainable development theory that deals with the reason behind resource-rich countries not developing effectively and also the reason behind innovation activities destroying the environment to the detriment of future generations.The bulk of the research work which is to be done on this project is executed using a doctrinal approach primarily facilitated by libraries and the internet as useful guides. By consequence, all the statements of legal principle and its administration is dependent of this research methodology. A significant portion of information for this research work is sourced from internet materials, journals, and articles.In recent times. 881 cases of oil spills have been recorded between January 2019 and April 2021. This spillage happened in 12 states within the country. The information stated above is obtained from a government-run satellite tracker known as the NOSDRA. It was also recorded that 77 percent of the spills majorly occurred in only 3 oil-producing states in Nigeria. The total oil spillage within this period has been equaled to about 43,000 barrels of oil of which the monetary value is worth $3 million at the international market and 1.23 billion naira in the national markets.This research work has highlighted these issues and has proffered solutions on how the problem of environmental degradation by oil multinationals can be resolved. Based on the result on the research work conducted, it was deduced that oil exploration and exploitation serviced have caused alterations in the environment. These alterations have been examined and this research work has given a rise of hope that the terrible and devastating state of the Niger Delta can be salvaged and restored to normality.Environmental Restoration can be achieved when we stop the practice of illegal dumping of il and other hazardous wastes within our environment. This also includes prosecuting employees and officials responsible for authorizing illegal dumping. Adherence to the Department of Petroleum Resources regulations for clean-ups should also be encouraged