Oil production and host community relations in Nigeria: The limits of the Utilitarian approach

Abstract

While resource extraction generates enormous revenue for resource-rich countries such as Nigeria, it could also engender human rights violations in host communities. This article explores the efficacy of the prevailing utilitarian approach to oil and gas management in Nigeria. The utilitarian calculus is applied to Nigeria's oil and gas management to demonstrate how the utilitarian theory substantially influences the decisions of the Nigerian government. Although utilitarianism posits that the happiness of the majority is the primary objective of governance, this is arguably not a viable reason to violate the rights of the minority Niger Delta communities for the economic gains of the majority of Nigerians. As an alternative to the ineffective and unsustainable utilitarian resource management approach, this article discusses the importance of the human rights-based approach to resource management.

Comparative Analysis of Oil and Gas Legal Frameworks in Bangladesh and Nigeria: A Pathway towards Achieving Sustainable Energy through Policy

“…The operations may result in the displacement of local inhabitants from their traditional lands, the destruction of their cultural foundation, and environmental pollution of their habitat. While some of these negative consequences are inevitable outcomes of the mining process, others may be attributed to unsustainable practices and negligence of operating companies towards the local communities [138]. Therefore, it is crucial to address environmental and social issues.…”

“…As such action can significantly affect local people's traditional way of life, it is essential to incorporate them into the project development and implementation to avoid any adverse impacts and mitigate public outrage towards the project. Therefore, ensuring public participation in such development projects can effectively address the concerns of the local communities and facilitate a sustainable and inclusive approach to petroleum exploration [116,138]. Consequently, it is no surprise that the PIA of Nigeria has emphasized the local community's participation through several provisions.…”

An examination of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021: prospects, challenges, and the way forward

“…This is also a subject that has gained a lot of attention in the literature. 13 Theory of utility Utilitarianism is a moral and ethical philosophy in political theory. 14 Although it has its roots in Greek philosophy, it gained popularity because of the work of Jeremy Bentham and J.S.…”