Comparative studies of the environmental and socio-economic experiences of host communities of the impacts of onshore and offshore oil explorations in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: Kokori-Inland and Ugborodo host communities as case studies

Over the past five decades, Nigeria has experienced significant economic growth attributed to petroleum exploration, production, and exports, particularly in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. However, the extractive nature of petroleum operations in the Niger Delta has led to adverse impacts on the environment, affecting air quality, soils, groundwater, marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and overall environmental sustainability. Environmental pollutants, including industrial effluents, hydrocarbons, oil spills, and gaseous emissions, have posed severe challenges to the socio-economic well-being and human health of host communities across the nine states in Nigeria's Niger Delta. Using these as a baseline, this research paper goes beyond the well-explored general impact of oil and gas exploration in the Niger Delta, it also delves into a nuanced examination of these effects, considering the geographical distinctions of onshore and offshore oil explorations. The study aims to explore and compare (not necessarily to rate one over the other nor say one is less or more impactful than the other) the experiences of host communities where onshore and offshore oil explorations are done, identifying both unique and shared experiences. The findings of this research reveal distinctive and intersecting experiences in the selected case studies host communities. While acknowledging the importance of shared similarities, which have traditionally guided governmental and non-governmental interventions, this paper emphasizes the significance of shedding light on the unique aspects of their experiences. This approach advocates for a more tailored and need-based strategy in designing interventions, considering both commonalities and divergences to enhance the effectiveness of targeted programs and projects.