Oil Boom in Nigeria: What are the Socio-Economic Implications for Society from 1999-2014?

Chapter 1 IntroductionNigeria is one of the leading oil producing countries in the world. Nigerias economy was generally characterised by agricultural production alongside separate consumer goods up to the 1980s, when oil wealth took over the majority of the countrys economy. For more than three decades, Nigeria has work her oil resources for export. The emergence of oil as Nigerias main source of revenue has generated a number of questions regarding the significance of the oil wealth to the socio- economic development of Nigeria society. It has been normally assumed that Nigerias large oil deposits would spur socio-economic crop and put the country among the worlds elite nations in terms of economic growth and social prosperity (Ian and Terry, 2003). Since independence from Great Britain in 1960, Nigerians have experienced a number of problems ranging from ethno-religious and sectarian conflicts to rot. According to Gboyega (1996) the post-in hooked Nigeria is one that has bor e the brunt of leadership-induced poverty instigated by corruption scandals, religious charlatanism, war, restiveness, political inst capacity, series of dictatorial regimes, and failure to build basic amenities among other issues. Ironically, these challenges have intensified during the period when Nigeria experienced what is comm further referred to as the oil boom (Gboyega, 1996, p.39). Julius-Adeoye (2010) believes that Nigerias severe socio-economic crisis started immediately after independence, when the countrys leaders pl chthoniced the nations resources with massive corruption allegations at the expense of citizens wellbeing excuses that military generals used to mount coups from the civilian seers. Whilst it was expected that the beginning of Nigerias democratically elected government in 1999 under the leadership of President Olesegun Obasanjo would see sudden change of fortunes for Nigerians, the country has non realised much progress in terms of social progress notwith standing the much hyped economic growth (Salawu, 2010). Data indicate that Nigerias oil revenue hit US$ 300 billion in the last 2 decades alone (Balouga, 2009). But it is the rise in revenue (over USD$112 billion between 2004 and 2007 alone) during Obasanjos reign that has raised questions about the countrys priorities and socio-economic development plans. unmatchable question one would ask is where did Nigeria got it wrong in terms of socio-economic developmentTo answer this question, there is need to understand how defining regimes of General Ibrahim Babangida and later Olesegun Obasanjo have contributed to the socio-economic drop down of the resource-rich Nigeria.1.1 Aim and ObjectivesThis study aims to establish the tax deduction of two leaders of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993) and President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) on Nigerias oil and gas resource management and the socio-economic touch with General Babangida setting the pace in the years of misrule an d mismanagement of national resources, he set a precedent that would later haunt the economic and social fabric of Nigeria and its people for later years. Sadly, the trend of inequality did not seem to end with military rule but extended with the civilian rule of the democratically elected government (Odebode, 2004).Research objectivesTo establish the role of General Babangidas regime on the oil resource management and socio-economic development of Nigeria To identify the implication of President Obasanjos reign as a democratically elected leader on the oil resource management and socio-economic development of Nigeria To identify ways in which leadership can be used to balance Nigerias socio-economic development and improve oil resource management1.2 Research QuestionsWhat is the significance of Babangida and Obasanjos regimes in the socio-economic development of Nigeria? What is the significance of oil wealth to the socio-economic development of Nigerias socio-economic development ? What implications do the oil resources have on the local communities social integrating and economic wellbeing? To what extent has the reigns of these leaders captured in the literature about Nigerias developmental agenda? Chapter 2 Literature Review There is a significant body of literature on Nigerias development framework. It has been described as having components of corruption, consumerism, failed socio-economic and political policies, and many other issues (Balouga, 2009 Odebode, 2004 Ian and Terry, 2003).Odebode (2004) observes that Nigerias socio-economic climate in the retiring(a) four decades has neither promoted any kind of social and economic welfare that can insulate families from harsh market realities nor help them benefit from market developments (Odebode, 2004, p.12). This is in spite of massive revenue from oil production. Corruption has been at the core of Nigerias political and social developments independence, saddling between military and civilian regimes, which have regrettably institutionalized corruption in almost all government agencies. When General Ibrahim Babangida toppled General Muhammadu Buharis regime of less than two years in a etiolate in-house coup on 27th August 1985, the country saw thirteen years of corruption in Nigeria. It is generally agreed that during General Babangidasregime corruption not only reached alarming high level rate but also became instutionalised. For instance, leaders who were found guilty by tribunals in the previous regimes of Murtala Mohammed and Mohammadu Buharu would later perplex their way back into the public life recovering their seized properties allegedly acquired through corrupt means. Maduagwu (cited in Gboyega, 1996, p.5) observes that that not only did Babangida regime entrench corruption when he pardoned corrupt government officials convicted in the previous regimes and appropriateed them to reclaim their seized properties, but also officially sanctioned corruption in the countr y, making it difficult to apply the only potent measures, long prison terms and seizure of illegally acquired wealth for fighting corruption in Nigeria in the future. The successive regimes after Babangida did little to demote corruption (Balouga, 2009). General Sani Abacha in just less than 4 months had ousted the interim government furthering the corruption menace and stagnating the socio-economic growth. The Abacha regime saw corruption reached its peak with disinvest of national resources. The International Centre for Asset Recovery (2009) estimated that the Abacha family alone took up to US$ 4 billion from the public coffers. Salawu (2010) observes that the countrys populace is unsounded marred with abject poverty, to the extent that it is not only being categorised amongst the worlds poorest nations but also graces the worlds most unequalised countries list. Studies have estimated that about 70 percent of Nigerias population lives below poverty line, largely due to inequit able distribution of the national resources such as oil revenue limited access to basic amenities and social services such as healthcare (Salawu, 2010).Chapter 3 Research methodology and nameThe researcher proposes to use qualitative research method to increase the understanding of the attitudes, motivation and other non-numerical information. The study will seek to investigate these phenomena using organize and semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and observation. According to Panneerselvam (2004), qualitative approach to research is the most appropriate research method when studying issues that require in-depth understanding of issues. Panneerselvam (2004) advises that researchers intending to study societal issues such as corruption and governance should immerse themselves into the culture of the society and experience what is in the system. Qualitative research allows the researcher to practice the needed flexibility, thus the ability to restore the emerging sub-questi ons as they become more familiar with the people, culture and system construct (Panneerselvam, 2004, p.158). Qualitative research methods help researchers to collect non-numerical responses from respondents using less-structured research instruments such as interviews, observation and ethnography. Ethnography uses fieldwork to provide a descriptive study of human society and presents the results as an organized whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. It is founded on the principle that a systems individual properties cannot always be accurately understood independent of each other. Qualitative research is thus base on relatively small sample sizes and may evoke inherent challenges when larger sample sizes are needed.In-depth Case studyThis research will also adopt a case study as a research methodology. The case studies will focus on General Babangidas regime and Obasanjos reign and draw any comparison and similarities in terms of socio-economic development. Case study as a research method is popular due to its ability to draw inspiration from the empirical curiosity and practicality (Stake, 1998). Although the researcher maybe interested in a wider question of socio-economic development of Nigeria, the case study will allow the researcher to specifically focus on issues of oil resource management, corruption, and leadership ideals. Case study is an consequential research method because it is able to combine other research strategies, hence the reason why it is often referred to as a meta-method (Stake, 1998). Gillham (2001) argues that a case study should not be viewed as more important than other research methodologies but should be seen as more suited for practice-oriented fields. That is, the ability of the researcher to act within a professional practice is dependent on the knowledge of a repertoire of cases.3.1 Scope of the studyThis research will focus on oil resource management and its impact on socio-economic development in Nigeria. The foc us will draw similarities and contrast between General Babangidas regime (1985-1993) and Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007).ReferencesBalouga, J. (2009). The Niger Delta Defusing the Time Bomb. International Association for cleverness Economies 1 (3), 8-11. Gboyega, A. (1996). Corruption and Democratization in Nigeria. Ibadan Agba Areo Publishers. 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