Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Militancy and social restiveness have been longstanding issues in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region. These phenomena have led to significant socio-political and economic disruptions, posing challenges to national development and security. This research project aims to explore and evaluate counselling strategies as effective interventions in addressing militancy and social restiveness in Nigeria. The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with key stakeholders, including former militants, community leaders, government officials, and mental health professionals, with quantitative surveys to gather comprehensive data on the current state of militancy and social restiveness in Nigeria. The qualitative data will provide in-depth insights into the underlying causes and motivations of individuals involved in militancy, while the quantitative data will offer a broader perspective on the prevalence and impact of these issues. The research will also review existing literature on counselling interventions for similar contexts globally to identify best practices and strategies that can be adapted to the Nigerian context. By synthesizing evidence-based approaches with local knowledge and experiences, the study aims to develop culturally sensitive and context-specific counselling strategies that can effectively address militancy and social restiveness in Nigeria. Furthermore, the project will assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing counselling interventions within communities affected by militancy. This will involve engaging with local stakeholders to understand their perspectives on counselling, mental health, and the potential benefits of such interventions in promoting peace and reconciliation. Ultimately, the research seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge on conflict resolution and peacebuilding by highlighting the role of counselling in addressing complex social issues such as militancy and social restiveness. By promoting mental health and psychosocial support services as integral components of conflict transformation efforts, the study aims to enhance the resilience and well-being of individuals and communities affected by violence and insecurity. Overall, this research project underscores the importance of incorporating counselling strategies into broader peacebuilding initiatives in Nigeria. By addressing the root causes of militancy and social restiveness from a mental health perspective, the study aims to facilitate sustainable peace and development in the region.

Thesis Overview

This paper offers a critical account of the amnesty programme introduced by the Nigerian state in 2009. It examines the impact and limitations of the amnesty as an instrument of peacebuilding, and emphasises the need for wider reforms that address underdevelopment and poverty in the Niger Delta region. The paper argues that the amnesty programme is a laudable effort but is by no means a silver bullet. It is better understood as a specific response to a resource-driven conflict that requires a broader, comprehensive resolution.

Nigeria’s resource wealth has been a major driver of conflict in the past 40 years. The Niger Delta region has been plagued by simmering grievances that blossomed over time into a popular insurgency against the Nigerian state and multinational oil companies (MOCs) (Ukiw, U. 2011. “The Nigerian State, Oil and the Niger Delta Crisis”. In Oil and Insurgency in the Niger Delta: Managing the Complex Politics of Petro-violence, Edited by: Obi, C. and Aas Rustad, S.17–27. London: Zed Books. ; Obi CI. 2006. Youth and the Generational Dimensions to the Struggle for Resource Control in the Niger Delta: Prospects for the Nation-State Project in Nigeria, Dakar: CODESRIA.Obi, CI. 2010. Oil Extraction, Dispossession, Resistance and Conflict in Nigeria’s Oil-Rich Niger Delta. Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 30(1–2): 219–236.

Indigenous communities have been adversely affected by oil extraction, with destruction of local livelihoods and severe environmental pollution.While it is commonly believed that the amnesty programme has promoted stability in oil production, there are underlying socio-political contradictions that undermine its effectiveness and credibility. This paper offers a critical account of the amnesty programme in Nigeria. The analysis is located within a narrative of the overarching political economy dynamics in Nigeria which are influence violence, underdevelopment and poverty in the Niger Delta region. The paper argues that the amnesty programme should be complemented with wider reforms that tackle the root causes of the Niger Delta crisis.

The next section provides a review of the amnesty programme which examines its objectives and operations. This is followed by a critical discussion of the limitations and weaknesses in the approach to amnesty in Nigeria. In conclusion, the paper identifies wider reforms that are needed for lasting peace, security and development in the Niger Delta.