Oil extraction in the Niger Delta, particularly in Otuabagi, has led to severe socio-environmental issues. Despite being the site of Nigeria's first commercial oil discovery, the community has seen little benefit from the oil wealth. Instead, they suffer from environmental degradation, poor compensation, and inadequate infrastructure. Historical analyses often overlook the pre-colonial context of these conflicts, focusing primarily on the post-1956 era. This oversight fails to account for early
local resistance to oil activities and the deeper socio-economic injustices rooted in oil extraction practices.

The local population, especially women, who are primarily farmers and fishermen, face significant challenges due to pollution from oil spills. The lack of environmental remediation or adequate compensation exacerbates poverty and health issues within the community. The continuous leakage from the decommissioned Oloibiri oil well highlights ongoing environmental neglect.

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Since the decommissioning of Oloibiri oil wells around 1975, no comprehensive study has been conducted on the impact of oil extraction on the health of the Otuabagi community. This research aims to fill that gap by providing empirical evidence of the health and socio-economic effects of hydrocarbon exposure on women in the community. The findings could support the community's demands for environmental remediation and fair compensation for their losses.

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This research was aimed at assessing the health impacts of oil extraction on the women of Otuabagi community, and the findings from this reasearch will support the community’s demands for environmental remediation and fair compensation for their loss of livelihoods.

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​​​Download the full report here.