Spiritual perspectives on Africa's Niger Delta

BY KATJA SCHILLER NWATOR

With a population of over 150 million people and an economy second only to South Africa, Nigeria ranks as the eighth largest exporter of oil in the world. Yet, significant development challenges persist, particularly in the oil rich and underdeveloped Niger Delta. Although this area produces the bulk of the country's total oil export, little of that money actually benefits the people living there. Its infrastructure and overall development have been kept at a bare minimum while political corruption has siphoned this income away.

Despite significant efforts by citizens to influence the government to address the persistent unemployment, poverty, corruption, and environmental degradation, virtually nothing has been done. As a result, those who have been working to change the system peacefully resorted to sabotaging oil production facilities, damaging pipelines, and siphoning off crude oil for sale. To make the situation even more complex, criminal groups have also moved in, taking advantage of the situation for their own profit.

To ensure positive development outcomes for the country, the various stakeholders—indigenous people, oil companies, nonprofit organizations, and government—need to work together even though the gulfs between the various groups may seem impossible to bridge. One way to support progress for everyone in the Niger Delta is prayer. In the midst of the seeming disunity, injustice, and violence, spiritual truths will strengthen those who are working to establish harmony.

About the author

Katja Schiller Nwator lives in Nigeria. She is the director of development for an indigenous nonprofit organization that seeks to empower men, women, and children within marginalized communities.

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