Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta: Interrogating the Role of Multinational Oil Corporations

Abstract

Abstract This paper invstigtes the extent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of oil companies operating in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria contribute to the development of host communities across the region. This empirical study precisely adopts the mixed-methods approach which involves the use of qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. Using the purposive sampling technique, a total of 113 participants were recruited for the study, and they included managers, senior and junior cadre employees, community leaders, market women and youth representatives. Findings of the study revealed that through the provision of key infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, and access roads, oil companies contributed significantly to the development of host communities. However, the majority of the study participants (74 per cent) reported that the quality of projects executed by oil companies was usually of low quality and lacking in durability. Also, the majority of the study participants (58 per cent) reported that there is an inadequate collaboration between oil companies and members of the host communities on the choice and location of CSR projects. Therefore, based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that there is a need to ensure international quality standards in the execution of CSR projects within the Niger Delta sphere. This will enhance the public image of oil companies which are usually considered as corrupt, exploitative, and insensitive to the needs of host communities. Also, the study recommends the need for greater collaboration between oil companies and their host communities in determining the choice and location for CSR projects. This will help to ensure that CSR projects of oil companies align with the needs of host communities.