From Adaka Boro to the Niger Delta Avengers: The Dynamics and Management of the Revolt in Nigeria’s Niger Delta

Abstract

Although, there was an earlier expression of dissatisfaction, the Twelve-Day Revolution led by Adaka Boro marked the beginning of the revolt in the Niger Delta Region. The revolt may be divided into six phases. Although, the objectives of the phases are similar, the approach has varied. The basic driver of the revolt has been the need for justice in the fiscal federalism regime in order to promote development in the region. The strategies employed in the revolt includes: advocacy, civil disobedience, sabotage, kidnapping and armed resistance. The approaches used by government in managing the revolt include re-engineering the fiscal federalism regime, establishment of development agencies for the region, and armed suppression. It is the ineffectiveness of the management strategies that has resulted in the unending revolt.

Keywords: Fiscal federalism, Development, Revolt, Management of revolt, Niger Delta.