The Niger Delta is a region of unparalleled ecological richness, characterized by its intricate network of waterways, lush mangrove forests, and diverse ecosystems. The Niger Delta, as now defined officially by the Nigerian government, extends over 70,000 km2 (27,000 sq mi) and makes up 7.5% of Nigeria's land mass. Nigeria has become West Africa's biggest producer of petroleum.
The political Niger Delta is home to approximately 31 million people from over 40 ethnic groups, including the Ibibio, Urhobo, Annang, Oron, Efik, Ogoni, Edo, Esan, Isoko, Okpe and Ijaws-such as the Kalabari, Okrika, Epie-Atissa, Ogbia, Abua, Obolo, Opobo, Ibani, Apoi, Arogbo, Olodiama, Biseni, Akinima, among others. These communities speak around 250 different dialects.
Historically and cartographically, it consists of present-day Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States.
Map of Nigeria numerically showing states typically considered part of the Niger Delta region
Delta State: A Key Region in the Niger Delta
Delta is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Named after the Niger Delta-a large part of which is in the state-the state was formed from the former Bendel State, on 27 August 1991. It is bordered on the north by Edo State, the east by Anambra and Rivers states, and the south by Bayelsa State while to the west by Ondo State, and the Bight of Benin which covers about 160 kilometres of the state's coastline.
Read also: The Ballads of Johnny Horton
Delta State covers a landmass of about 18,050 km2 (6,970 sq mi), of which more than 60% is land. The state lies approximately between 5°00' and 6°45' E and 5°00' and 6°30' N. It is geographically located in Nigeria's Midwest, bounded in the north and west by Edo State for 350 km (218 miles), the east by Anambra, and Rivers States for about 93 km and about 50 km respectively, southeast by Bayelsa State across the Niger River for 17 km and the Forçados River for 198 km, and on the southern extreme is the Bight of Benin which covers about 160 kilometres of the state's coastline.
Of the 36 states, Delta is the 23rd largest in the area and twelfth most populous with an estimated population of over 7.8 million as of 2024. Geographically, the state is divided between the Central African mangroves in the coastal southwest and the Nigerian lowland forests in most of the rest of the state as a small portion of the Niger Delta swamp forests are in the far south. The other important geographical features are the River Niger and its distributary, the Forçados River, which flow along Delta's eastern and southern borders, respectively; while fellow Niger distributary, the Escravos River, runs through Warri and the coastal areas are riddled with dozens of smaller Niger distributaries that make up much of the western Niger Delta.
Historical Context
What is now Delta State has been inhabited for years by various ethnic groups, including the Isoko and Urhobo the centre of the state; Ukwuani in the east; the Ika, Enuani, and Olukumi in the northeast; the Anioma and the northwest; and the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and also the Urhobo, in the southwest. In the pre-colonial period, the now-Delta State was divided into various monarchial states like the Kingdom of Warri, Aboh and Agbon Kingdom before the area became a part of the British Oil Rivers Protectorate in 1884.
In the early 1900s, the British incorporated the protectorate (now renamed the Niger Coast Protectorate) into the Southern Nigeria Protectorate which later amalgamated into British Nigeria. However, colonial forces did not gain permanent control of modern-day Delta State until the 1910s, due to the uprisings of the Ekumeku Movement. After independence in 1960, the area of now-Delta was a part of the post-independence Western Region until 1963 when the region was split and the area became part of the Mid-Western Region. In 1967, the Biafra, Nigeria|Eastern Region]] attempted to secede as the state of Biafra and invaded the Mid-Western Region in an attempt to capture Lagos and end the war quickly; Biafran forces were halted and eventually pushed back but briefly declared the captured Mid-Western Region (including now-Delta State) as the Republic of Benin. similarly, upon the liberation of the Mid-West, Nigerian forces committed the Asaba massacre against ethnic Igbos in Asaba. At the war's end and the reunification of Nigeria, the Mid-Western Region was reformed until 1976 when it was renamed Bendel State.
Delta State was defined out of the former Bendel State on 27 August 1991. The state was actualized following agitations for the realization of a separate distinct state by the peoples of the old Delta Province. There was yet another state request proposed as "Anioma State comprising the Asaba and Agbor Divisions of the old Midwest region. The then Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, recognized Delta state but chose "Asaba" a prominent town within the "Northwestern Lower Niger" as capital city. The proposed capital was a virgin land in the heart of the two constituent divisions that constitutes the Northwestern Lower Niger. Delta state was once integrated in the Mid Western state from 1963 to 1976 and later Bendel state, from 1976 to 1991.
Read also: Correct Niger Pronunciation
Background report on Niger Delta oil spills
Climate and Ecology
Delta State is generally low-lying without any remarkable hills. An important characteristic of the Climate of Delta State is flooding. The ecological attributes of Delta State also include heavy rainfall, which makes the state, like other states in the Niger-Delta Nigeria to be regarded as lowland rainforest, freshwater swamp and mangrove swamp. Delta State has a mean rainfall of 36.9 mm, as well as an increase in rainfall which in the year 2015 resulted in inundation of farmlands in the state. 2015 was also the year the state had the highest rainfall, amounting to 3183.6 mm. In the year 2007, the state had the lowest rainfall over the 11-year period, amounting to an annual rainfall of 2030.58 mm.
Politics
The electoral system of each state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two-thirds of the State local government Areas. The Okpe is a dialect of the Urhobo language. Sheriff Oborevwori, a member of the People's Democratic Party, was elected Governor and chief executive of Delta State in March 2023. His deputy is Monday Onyeme. The state has three National Senatorial Districts (South, North and Central). Ovie Omo-Agege sworn in as Senator of Delta Central, James Manager retained his position and Chief Peter Nwaoboshi was elected Senator of Delta North.
Economy of Delta State
Economically, Delta State is based around the production of crude oil and natural gas as one of the main oil-producing states in the country. Key minor industries involve agriculture as the state has substantial oil palm, yam, and cassava crops along with fishing and heliciculture.
Oil spillage in Niger Delta
Oil Revenue Allocation
Oil revenue allocation has been the subject of much contention well before Nigeria gained its independence.
Read also: The Common Black Ant
- State allocations are based on 5 criteria: equality (equal shares per state), population, social development, land mass, and revenue generation.
- The derivation formula refers to the percentage of the revenue oil-producing states retain from taxes on oil and other natural resources produced in the state.
Environmental Challenges: Oil Spills
However, the serene beauty of this landscape has been damaged by a persistent environmental menace, oil spills. Over the years, the Niger Delta has experienced a series of devastating oil spills, primarily caused by industrial activities related to the extraction and transportation of oil and gas. Due to this high amount of spills, the Niger Delta is considered one of the most polluted areas on Earth. These spills have inflicted severe and continuous damage on the delicate balance of the region's ecosystems.
Two spills in 2008 and 2009 have been the largest and most harmful by far, collectively lasting for almost 150 days and causing flora death throughout 393 km2. The extensive network of tidal rivers and mangrove swamps makes it even easier for the oil to spread quickly, and the delta becomes a sink, trapping the oil that is not removed. The spills came from a pipeline operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company. Since then, following spills have continued to exacerbate the ecological damage. The exact impact of spills like these is hard to know because traditional field studies are nearly impossible in this region. However, techniques such as the normalized difference vegetation index have been successful in measuring the impact of oil spills on the river's plant health.
Impact on Communities
The people affected by oil spills in the Niger Delta are diverse communities residing in the region. Their lives are intricately connected to the natural environment. These communities, often made up of indigenous groups, rely on the Niger Delta's resources for their food, water, livelihoods, and cultural practices. The impact of oil spills on these communities is multi-faceted and extends beyond health problems. Fishing and agriculture are central to the livelihoods of many Niger Delta communities. Oil spills contaminate water sources and farmlands, severely affecting fish stocks and crops.
Another facet of the people's livelihoods is their culture. The Niger Delta's people have strong spiritual and cultural ties to their environment. The harm inflicted on their land and waterways caused by oil spills deeply disrupts sacred sites and interferes with their cultural practices. Additionally, when communities fight back against the oil industries as an act of protest, violence is often perpetuated. Since the 1990s there has been continuous violence in an effort to give local communities control of the oil in the delta.
Tourist Attractions
Delta State has some historical, cultural and socio-political tourist centres that attract visitors from around the globe.
- The Nana's Palace built by Chief Nana Olomu of Ebrohim.
- The River Ethiope which is reputed to be the deepest inland waterway in Africa (at 176 km).
- The Araya Bible Site which houses a copy of the Holy Bible.
- The Mungo Park House which is now the site of the National Museum, Asaba.
- The Niger Bridge which connects Delta State (by extension, western Nigeria) to the Eastern part of Nigeria.
- Lander Brothers Anchorage, Asaba which was built in memory of early British explorers.
- Warri Kingdom Royal Cemetery which is a 512-year-old burial ground and serves as the resting place of past rulers of the Warri kingdom.
- Kwale Game Reserve is situated in the low coastal zone of Delta State, characterized by rainforest vegetation and deltaic swamps.
Lander Brothers Anchorage, Asaba
Educational Institutions in Delta State
- Federal University of Petroleum Resources
- Delta State University, Abraka
- Delta State Polytechnic - Otefe Oghara
- Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku
- Film and Broadcast Academy
- Agbor College Of Education
- Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba
- Delta State College of Education Mosogar
- Delta State College Of Health Technology, Ofuoma Ughelli
- Michael & Cecilia Ibru University
- Petroleum Training Institute (PTI)
- Western Delta University
- Novena University
- National Open University of Nigeria (Owhrode Community Study Centre, Emevor Community Study Centre)
- Delta State School of Marine Technology
- Nigeria Maritime University
- Delta State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery
- School Of Nursing Eku
- Edwin Clark University Nigeria
- Admiralty University Of Nigeria
Popular articles:
tags:
