Frustration/Aggression Theory and Niger Delta Militancy, 1999-2015

ABSTRACT The dynamics and manifestation of Niger-Delta militancy is rooted in long years of neglect marginalization, poverty and underdevelopment of the region by the Nigerian state and MultiNational-Corporations. Therefore this study interrogated the nexus between frustration/aggression theory and militancy in the Niger-Delta. It noted like in previous studies that frustration over long years of misery, poverty, unemployment, environmental pollution in the Niger-Delta transmogrified into aggression in the form of kidnapping, piracy, destruction of oil installations among others by youth of the region. However, the study went beyond examining frustration/ aggression theory as an explanatory tool for militancy in the Niger-Delta but analyzed if the basic assumptions of the theory can serve as a framework for curtailing or eliminating militancy in the region. The study made use of ex-post factor research design, qualitative descriptive method of data analysis and adopted frustration/aggression theory as it theoretical framework. The study noted that lack of basic amenities, high level of poverty and unemployment over the years have resulted into frustration which conduced violent aggression. Also the study showed that state policies can reduced belligerency in the Niger-Delta region if it is focused on reducing/eliminating sources of frustration, and that Multi-National Corporation can genuinely foster local development or else they become target of deferred aggression. It recommended among others, the formulation and implementation of state policies that can check mate or reduce the sources of frustration which can curtail violence, improvement in the level of governance in the region and that Multi-National Corporations should through it social corporate responsibility provide social services to their host communities.