Climate change ,post colonial extraction, and forced migration in the Global south: A post colonial Analysis of Nigeria
Translated title
CLIMATE CHANGE,POST-COLONIALEXTRACTION AND FORCED MIGRATIONIN THE GLOBAL SOUTH.A POST COLONIAL ANALYSIS OF NIGERIA
Authors
Okechukwu, Ijeoma Immaculeta ; Neba, Petra Lum ; Tchamba, Mary
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-10-14
Abstract
This thesis examines the relationship between climate change, postcolonial extraction and forced migration in Nigeria, with a particular focus on Benue State and the Niger Delta. Drawing on postcolonial theory, political ecology and the concept of slow violence, it explores how historical and ongoing resource extraction—especially in the oil sector—intensifies environmental vulnerability and creates conditions that force people to leave their homes. The study uses a qualitative case study design based on secondary data and thematic analysis of selected cases of flooding, pollution, gas flaring and violent conflict in communities in Benue and Rivers States. The findings show a strong connection between climate change, postcolonial extraction and forced migration, especially in the Niger Delta, where environmental degradation undermines livelihoods and deepens inequality and climate injustice. The thesis identifies major weaknesses in Nigeria’s legal system and state policies, which fail to adequately hold international and private corporations accountable for environmental damage and loss of livelihoods. It recommends policy reforms that address the factors endangering people’s lives and displacing them, alongside the enforcement of reparations and stronger accountability for international and private companies, in order to advance environmental and climate justice in the Global South.
Denne afhandling undersøger samspillet mellem klimaforandringer, postkolonial ressourceudvinding og tvungen migration i Nigeria med særlig fokus på Benue og Nigerdeltaet. Med udgangspunkt i postkolonial teori, politisk økologi og begrebet langsom vold analyseres, hvordan historiske og nutidige former for udvinding – især olieindustrien – forværrer miljøsårbarhed og skaber betingelser, der tvinger mennesker til at forlade deres hjem. Studiet anvender et kvalitativt casestudiedesign baseret på sekundære data og tematisk analyse af udvalgte sager om oversvømmelser, forurening, gasafbrænding og voldelige konflikter i lokalsamfund i Benue og Rivers State. Resultaterne peger på en tæt sammenhæng mellem klimaforandringer, postkolonial udvinding og tvungen migration, særligt i Nigerdeltaet, hvor miljøødelæggelser truer levebrød og forværrer ulighed og klimauretfærdighed. Afhandlingen identificerer betydelige svagheder i Nigerias retssystem og statslige politikker, som ikke i tilstrækkelig grad holder internationale og private virksomheder ansvarlige for miljøskader og tab af levebrød. Den anbefaler politiske reformer, der mindsker de forhold, som bringer menneskers liv i fare og driver dem på flugt, samt håndhævelse af erstatning og ansvarlighed for internationale og private selskaber med henblik på større miljø- og klimaretfærdighed i det Globale Syd.
[This abstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]