CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) AND CONFLICT IN THE NIGER DELTA OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) “is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as the local communities and societies at large”. It was anticipated that the adoption CSR practice by the oil companies might be an effective panacea to the incessant conflict that has characterized the relationship between oil companies operating in the region and their host communities. However, regardless of such anticipation and oil companies’ claims of adherence to the notion of CSR, conflict in the region has remained unabated. The study argued that to ensure a
harmonious working relationship with stakeholders and to reduce the conflict in the region; oil companies should encourage host community participation in the design and implementation of CSR initiatives. It as well maintains that without poverty alleviation and host community development, militancy will not only remain, but the peaceful operations of oil companies in the region will remain a mirage.