ABSTRACT
The of the strategic oil between the U.S and the Middle East brought the Gulf of Guinea and the Niger Delta into a high profile global energy partnership. The strategic shift had developed as a form of buffer or counter weight against the insecurity of supply in the Persian Gulf.
This study, therefore explores the rise of the Gulf of and Niger Delta as strategic . It illustrates the character of strategic or resource – rich region and the security challenges orchestrated by the attempts to protect and subsequently explore these resources.
Predicated on Immanuel Wallerstein World System Theory which reveals that the direct consequences of capitalist drive for raw materials such as oil, market and profit often engender violence,
the study illustrates the character of strategic oil resource – rich region and the security challenges orchestrated by attempts to protect and explore these resources.
Our method of data collection is qualitative technique. We made use of secondary sources of data. In our method of data analysis we adopt the qualitative descriptive analysis.
The study hypothesizes a causal relationship between crisis in the Niger Delta and the increase in U.S military presence or deployment in the region.
It concludes that the resort to naked force for the protection of oil infrastructure and installations by the Nigerian State and the U.S has ignited crises and attendant deaths in the region.
Finally, the study suggests addressing observable contradictions in the system engendered by oil wealth and distributive politics.
This calls for the strengthening of the security institutions and policies of the Nigerian State to ensure strict adherence to global best practices in security considerations,
good governance and the development of a comprehensive national security strategic plan that would holistically address the main security challenges facing the country and the region.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page – – – – – – – – – i
Approval page – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – – iv
Table of content – – – – – – – – v
Abstract – – – – – – – – – vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Of Study – – – – – 1
1.2 Statement Of Problem – – – – – 3
1.3 Objective Study – – – – – – 5
1.4 Significance Of The Study – – – – 5
1.5 Literature Review – – – – – – 6
1.6 Theoretical Framework – – – – – 14
1.7 Research Hypotheses – – – – – 17
1.8 Methodology – – – – – – – 17
References – – – – – – – 19
CHAPTER TWO: THE GULF OF GUINEA AND ITS STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE
2.1 The Geographical Location of the Gulf Of Guinea – – 23
2.2 Strategic Economic Significance – – – – 24
2.3 Political Significance – – – – – – 26
2.4 Commercial Significance – – – – – – 27
2.5 Nigeria’s Strategic Significance in the Gulf Of Guinea – 27
References – – – – – – – – 29
CHAPTER THREE: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA U.S RELATIONS
3.1 Dynamics of Nigeria-US Relations – – – – 31
3.2 Determinant of US Interest in Relations with Nigeria – 33
3.3 Determinants of Nigeria-US Relations – – – 34
References – – – – – – – – 42
CHAPTER FOUR: NIGERIA-U.S ENERGY SECURITY IN THE GULF OF GUINEA
4.1 Nigeria’s Energy Security in the Gulf Of Guinea – – 44
4.2 U.S Energy Securities in the Gulf Of Guinea – – – 46
4.3 U.S Military Activities in the Gulf Of Guinea – – 48
4.4 Convergent Energy Security Interest in the Gulf Of Guinea 51
References – – – – – – – – 53
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of Findings – – – – – – 55
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – 60
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – – – 62
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Nigeria has vast oil reserves and oil is currently seen as a “strategic commodity”. As a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC),
and the sixth highest oil exporting nation in the world, Nigeria has long perceived itself and by others as a potential force for regional stability and development in Africa ( Nwackukwu, 1960).
During the Cold War, the United States viewed Africa as a major battle ground with the Soviet Union. As a result, it poured billions of dollars in economic and military aid into the continent. After the collapse of communism, American interest in Africa waned.
In 1995, a Pentagon report concluded that the United States had “very little traditional strategic interest in Africa”. Incidentally, as the Middle East region becomes more volatile, the Nigeria oil industry gained increasing attention of the Bush Administration as it aimed to diversify the U.S oil imports.
The Bush Administration’s national energy policy, released on May 2005, predicted that West Africa would become “one of the fastest growing sources of oil and gas for the American market (Onuoha, 2005).
Paul Michael Wihbey of Washington Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies described West Africa as “an area of vital US interest” in his testimony before Congress.
REFERENCES
African Oil, (2001) “A Priority for US National Security and African Development,” National Energy Policy Report, May 16, 2001.
Caryle, M. (2005) “A Scholarly Look at Terror Sees Bookprints in the Sand,” Washington DC Post, July 10, 2005.
Chidis, N. (2004) “U.S. Navy plans West Africa exercise”, BBC News June 4, 2004. (Accessed 16/6/2011)
Clear Water Research Services, (2003) “Back from the Brink”, London, 2003.
Energy Information Administration, International Energy Outlook (2004), Washington, DC Department of Energy, 2004, . Cordesman, Anayhony, U.S and GLOBAL Dependence on Middle Eastern Energy Exports: 2004,2003” Nov,23 2004 cordesman.pdf. (Accessed 16/6/2011)
Eugene, A ( 2006) “U.S Explains Presence in Gulf of Guinea,” This day May 31, 2006
Fredrick, K. (2006) “Africa Emerges as a Strategic Battleground,” Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2006. (Accessed 16/6/20011).
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