(From War Prevention Works by Dylan Mathews – a joint project by the Oxford Research Group and Peace Direct1)

Before Any Violence: Nigeria (2000)

Background
The huge oil wealth of Nigeria accounts for 90% of its exports. The conflict over this wealth has been raging for 40 years. Protests at the destruction of the environment and the destruction of people’s lives which resulted from the drilling were severely repressed by the military and dreaded mobile police force (MOPOL). Little of the oil wealth benefited the ordinary people of Nigeria causing great anger and resentment.

In 1998 a company under contract to the American multinational Chevron arrived in Imo State to conduct tests for oil. A number of youth groups called for the tests to be stopped until people were sure that their environment would be protected and their communities not exploited if oil were found. They said they would use force if they decided this was necessary. In November 1999, in the village of Odi in the Niger delta 12 policemen were killed and in retaliation the village was destroyed.

Involvement
In response to the escalating situation the Committee for the Protection of Peoples’ Dignity (COPPED) met with the youth groups to resolve the crisis. COPPED had been set up by a group of students at Lagos university to re-invigorate the marginalized youth of Nigeria. Since COPPED was associated with Lagos University and its pro-democracy movement the youths were willing to listen to its council.

COPPED started the discussions by dispelling the misinformation about the effects of oil exploration which had been circulating. It explained the background of oil exploration in Nigeria and how it had been misused by successive dictators to divide the communities. They explained the lessons which had been learned by other communities. Finally they taught the youths basic negotiating skills and explained how confrontation was counterproductive in the circumstances. It might push the oil company towards more provocative measures. Members of the youth group were invited to take part in democracy and human rights courses which COPPED had been running throughout the region. The courses were arranged round the concepts of ‘democracy and good governance’, justice and the rule of law’, ‘conflict prevention and resolution’, and ‘gender issues’; the idea being to institutionalise non-violent approaches to conflict.

Outcome
The youths retracted their threats of violence. However the peace may be temporary. The director of COPPED said that they are only just able to keep the peace and if the oil companies continue their explorations without proper consultation with the local communities then COPPED thought violence will recommence.

Commercial exploitation of the region and environmental degradation which accompanies it could lead to other groups resorting to violence to achieve justice, when no other way seems to be available.