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Asian Business Research Journal 
Vol. 1, 1-7, 2016 
ISSN: 2576-6759  
DOI: 10.20448/journal.518/2016.1.1/518.1.1.7 
© 2016 by the authors; licensee Eastern Centre of Science and Education, USA 

 
 
 
Does Amnesty Programme in Niger Delta have Economic Benefit to Nigeria? 

 
Touitou, Tina C    

 
 

 Department of Mass Communication Babcock University IIishan-Remo Ogun State, Nigeria 

 
Abstract 

The Niger Delta is said to be the world’s largest wetland and the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria. 
The oil and gas in that region represents 97% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and this accounts 
for a major chunk of the wealth of the country.   The region has for some years been the site of major 
confrontations between the people and the Nigerian government’s security forces, resulting in 
extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions, and draconian restrictions on the rights to freedom of 
expression, association, and assembly. To proffer solution, Federal government came up with Post-
amnesty Programme. Based on this, the study sought to: (i) determine the economic benefits of Post-
amnesty Progromme to Nigeria.  (ii)  Determine the level of effectiveness of the implementation of the 
Post Amnesty Progrmme since its inception in 2009.  The research design was descriptive survey 
method. The population of the study was 4,798,519 million youths [15-39years][last Census2006]  in 
Delta State, Bayelsa State and Rivers State. The study made use of qualitative and quantitative data 
analyses. The sample size was 400 using Taro Yamane formula. Purposive sampling technique was used 
to select the respondents in each of the states. A pilot study was conducted using split-half method and 
tested with Spearman Brown. Validity of instruments was measured using content validity .The One-
Sample Kolmogorv-Smirnov (Z) test is used in testing the hypothesis:  Amnesty programme does not 
have economic benefits to the Nigeria. (Zcal = 4.930 > Zcritical = 1.96, p < 0.05).  This result is significant 
as p-value of 0.00 < 0.05.  Thus, the null hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis accepted 
accordingly.  Hence, Amnesty programme does have economic benefits to Nigeria. It concluded that is 
only in peaceful regions that meaningful collaboration and developments can take place, as well as 
investment and development. Where its recommendation is for the Federal government to engage in 
equitable distribution of resources in the country and elimination of bureaucracy such as: corruption, 
dehumanization, marginalization, and underdevelopment and deprivation. 

 
Keywords: Niger Delta, Amnesty, Public relations, Militant, Benefit. 

 

1. Introduction 
The Niger Delta crisis has been going on for decades but it has only just deteriorated to its present stage of 

militancy, killings, kidnappings and the likes.  The effects of oil in the fragile Niger Delta communities and 
environment have been enormous. 85% of national oil revenues end up in the hands of 1% of the population, while 
local indigenous people have seen little if any improvement in their standard of living while suffering serious 
damage to their natural environment.[http://klkntv.cm/Global/Story.asp]. 

The UNDP (2009) describes the region as suffering from “administrative neglect, crumbling social 
infrastructure and services, high unemployment, social deprivation, abject poverty, filth and squalor and endemic 
conflict.” The majority of the people of the Niger Delta do not have adequate access to clean water or health care. 
Their poverty and its contrast with the wealth generated by oil has become one of the world’s starkest and most 
disturbing examples of the “resource curse”. UNDP (2009) further to say that under Nigerian law, local 
communities have no legal rights to oil and gas reserves in their territory. The Federal Government allocates 
permits, licenses and leases to survey, prospect for and extract oil to the oil companies, who are then automatically 
granted access to the land covered by their permit, lease or license. The fact that the people of the Niger Delta have 
not benefited from oil wealth is only part of the story. Widespread and unchecked human rights violations related 
to the oil industry have pushed many people deeper into poverty and deprivation, fuelled conflict and led to a 
pervasive sense of powerlessness and frustration. The multi-dimensional crisis is driven by the actions of the 
security forces and militant groups, extensive pollution of land and water, corruption, corporate failures, bad 
practices and serious government neglect. Much of the population in the oil producing areas of the Delta relies on 
fisheries, subsistent agriculture and associated processing industries for their livelihood. Oil spills, waste dumping 
and gas flaring [gas is separated from oil in Nigeria, most of it is burnt as waste, these practices are endemic in the 
Niger Delta. This pollution, which has affected the area for decades, has damaged the soil, water and air quality. 
Hundreds of thousands of people are affected, particularly the poorest and those who rely on traditional livelihoods 
such as fishing and agriculture, (UNDP, 2009). Widespread environmental damage associated with oil extraction 
has destroyed livelihoods, polluted water and undermined health, and even basic services, such as water and 

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sanitation are lacking in many areas. Many of the development initiatives that have been established have been 
marred by corruption and bad planning, leaving behind a trail of half-finished or non-functioning projects. This 
situation is often accompanied with massive socio-economic disorganization, lawlessness, loss of lives and the 
general belief that government is incapable of correctly handling the situation, 
[http://klkntv.cm/Global/Story.asp]. 

In 2008, Nigeria government and private initiatives sought for lasting solutions to the crisis appointed a 
committee known as the Ledum Mittee to look into the crisis and come up with recommendations for peace. The 
Ledum Mittee Technical committee was launched in September 8th 2008 with credible members to collate and 
review all previous reports, memorandum and also to make suggestions to government. The committee then made 
their research and recommended Amnesty for militant leaders. The Amnesty offer was announced by President 
Ya’ardua in June 2009. The programme recommends that the region should receive 25% of the country’s revenue 
which is an improvement on the 13% revenue they receive.  

 Presidential panel on Amnesty and Disarmament of Militants in the Niger Delta was also set up to coordinate 
the Amnesty programme and to advise the government. The Presidential Committee has four sub-committees that 
are responsible for the development of the area after the militants accepted the Amnesty offer. The committee was 
also set up to work on the modalities for the involvement of the host communities in the ownership of the 
Petroleum Assets in Nigeria. The committee further sub-divided the Amnesty programme into the following:  the 
disarmament, rehabilitation and re-integration, oil and gas asset protection, infrastructural development and 
environmental clean-up and remediation. It is pertinent to note that, how these Post-amnesty Programmes are to 
be effectively managed and sustained should be the first priority. It should also be noted that the crises in Niger 
Delta cannot be solved by a single body. There has to be synergy on the path of individual, NGO’S, the 
government and the multinational oil companies in that region. All of these bodies have to work in union so as to 
achieve human and community development, and to put an end to militancy and crises in that region.  

The Programmes for the Post-amnesty offer includes the following: Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Re-
integration, Oil and Gas Asset Protection, Infrastructural Development and Environmental Clean-up,  
Remediation, skills and acquisition programme for repentant militants,  addressing the issue of environmental 
degradation; construction of an inland water way; construction of a coastal road and  provision of good electricity 
supply. The Amnesty programme is a part of the Federal government determination and desire to put an end to the 
agitations and violence in the region, with the aim of disarming, rehabilitating and reintegrating militants into 
their communities as a means to tackle the challenges facing the region. Amnesty programme was a huge success 
as the militants accepted the offer and began coming out of hiding to hand over their arms and ammunition to the 
government through the peace committee set up to coordinate the programme. The Post-amnesty period is 
significant in bringing about lasting peace and development to the region. With the Amnesty declared a success 
and to be sustained is the efforts and determination of the government to achieve these objectives.  
 

1.1. Research Question 
1. Does Amnesty programme have economic benefit to Nigeria? 

 
1.2. Research Hypothesis 

1. Amnesty programme does not have economic benefits to Nigeria 

 
2. Methodology 

The population of the study comprised of the major stakeholder involved in Niger Delta crisis: Youths aged 15-
39 years old from the three selected states that include: Bayelsa State, Rivers State and Delta State. These States 
were chosen based on the fact that they were the most crisis and militancy ridden states in the region. Therefore, 
the population size of the youths in all the states was 4,798,519 [Based on the last census of 2006]. The sample size 
was 400 using Taro Yamane formula 1976.  The research design employed for this study was descriptive survey 
design research method. While, stratified random sampling, in order to determine the population quota of each of 
the States, and purposive sample technique for choosing the actual respondents in each State. 
 

2.1. Empirical Review of Literature 
Amnesty was defined by Encarta (2009) as an international law and an act of effacing and forgetting past 

offences granted by the government to person [s] who have been guilty of crime and rebellion against the state.  
Goldman (2002) is a general pardon of offence by government, a deliberate overlooking of offences against a 

government. Sabella (2009) sees it as an act of sovereign power designed to apply the principle of “tabula rasa” to 
past offences usually committed against the state. He noted that the offences which Amnesty generally applies 
include political depicts, such as treason, sedition or rebellion. The term is applied to rebellious acts against the 
State. Amnesty differs from pardon in that Amnesty causes the crime to be forgotten, whereas pardon, given after a 
conviction, exempts the criminal from further punishment. Amnesty is usually granted to a class of criminals or 
group of persons who may have committed a crime and is offered in order to restore tranquility in the state (Peter, 
2004).  Some examples of amnesty in United States history were those granted by President Andrew Johnson after 
the American Civil War and those given to certain wartime offenders after World Wars 1 and 11. Amnesty may be 
conditioned upon fulfillment of certain obligations within a specified period. In 1974 President Gerald Ford 
instituted a programme for Vietnam War deserters, and draft evaders requiring them to spend two years doing 
public service work as the condition for amnesty. Few people took advantage of these terms within the time 
allowed for the programme (Encarta, 2009). 

 
2.2. Terms of the Amnesty and its Implications 

Under the Amnesty, all persons that were affected by the Amnesty must surrender and handover their arms to 
the designated officers, in addition to executing the renunciation of militancy form. It implies that no militant can 



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be arrested or killed after their arms have been surrendered and the label “militants” will be removed, and that 
those who do not surrender their arms and embrace the Amnesty were considered criminals thereafter (Alloy and 
Festus, 2009) 

 

2.3. The Beneficiaries of the Amnesty 
President Yar’Adua asserts that  the programme is open to all: militants leaders; all militants in the region; all 

persons that were being prosecuted for the offences related to militant actions, sponsors of the militants, anybody 
who is directly or indirectly involved in the commission of offences related to the activities of the militants in the 
region and some civilian prisoners, especially those that had been on death  row for a period up to twenty years in 
the Niger Delta, including suspected rebel leader Henry Okah who is on trial for gun-running and treason. Okah’s 
freedom has been one of the main demands from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta [MEND], 
the country’s main militant group. 

 

2.4. Recovered Arms 
Within the stipulated deadline for the amnesty, about 532 arms, 76 automatic rifles, 21 machine guns, 16 

gunboats and 180,000 rounds of ammunition were surrendered. However, about 78,000 AK-47, 230, 000 rounds of 
ammunition and other sophisticated weapons were believed to still be in the militant’s possession [Nigerians in 
America 2010]. 

 

2.5. Post Amnesty Scheme and the Accomplished Projects 
The Post-amnesty package includes:  a presidential pardon, Post-amnesty dialogue, rehabilitation programme, 

demobilization and  reconciliation, re-integration, healing and sustainable development [Modern Ghana News, 
2009n.d] A whooping sun of N2.1 trillion was marked for the developmental projects like infrastructural, 
environmental, human capital development and security programmes, and about N293 billion has been spent on 
projects like construction of skills acquisition centre, roads and housing units. Parts of the money were also used 
for environmental upgrading and job provisions (Africa, 2009) and the Federal government to demonstrate its 
preparedness to ensure successful implementation of the entire Post-amnesty plan. There should be no excuses for 
non-implementation of the programmes that have been approved to bring an end to arms conflict, wanton 
destruction of lives and property and other forms of criminality in the Niger Delta region.  

The panel will be held responsible for poor execution of the projects which are expected to assist in opening up 
the Niger Delta region for meaningful development in all areas. The creation of jobs for the large army of restive 
youths in the region will not only considerably curtail the alarming crime rate in the region, but it will also give 
such youths a sense of belonging to the Niger Delta region project in particular, and also Nigeria in general. The 
federal Government cannot afford to pay lip service to all-important Post-amnesty plan. 

Failure to implement the programmes sincerely and successfully could make a mess of the relative peace now 
prevailing in the region. Anything that is capable of eroding the trust and the confidence the ex-militants have in 
the Federal government pertaining to the Amnesty deal, must be avoided to ensure that the Niger Delta region 
and other parts of  the country continue to enjoy peace and meaningful development.  Nigerian Compass suggested 
that the Federal government should avoid those things that could contributed to the poor execution of vital 
projects, while implementing the Post-amnesty plan projects specifically geared towards rehabilitating, re-
integrating the former militants, as well as the development of infrastructure in Niger Delta. Also, necessary 
arrangement should be in place to ensure that funds pumped into the projects are judiciously spent and 
accountability should be the watchword. Armstrong (2000). 

 

2.6. Benefits of Amnesty Programme 
One of the benefits of Amnesty programme is to enhance youth development in all ramifications.  According to 

Academy Educational Development (2010) Youth development is about people, programmes, institutions and 
systems that provide all youth “trouble” with the supports and opportunities they need to empower themselves. 
Pittan [993], defines “Youth development” as the ongoing growth processes in which all youth are engaged in 
attempting to: 

 To meet their basic personal and social needs to be safe, feel cared for, be valued, useful, and be spiritually 
grounded. 

 Build skills and competencies that allows them to function and contribute in their daily lives 

  Build capacity of youth to participate effectively in urban poverty reduction through training and by 
offering employment opportunities in self-employment, formal and informal sectors. 

 Enhance youth contribution towards better governance by promoting increase youth participation in local 
government and matters concerning youth development. 

 Provide services aimed at preventing and solving reproductive health problems amongst the youth by 
provision of information, skills training, education on reproductive health, counseling and referral services. 

 Establish mechanisms to effectively communicate and disseminate information to youth, youth 
organizations and other partners involved in youth work. 

 Strengthen youth engagement in the protection and improvement of the environment justice by promoting 
their participation in environmental justice and governance initiatives 

The focus of Amnesty programme policy before adjustment was largely Talent and Human Resource 
Development, before the focus was shifted to Talent and Human Utilization that include to: provide an overview of 
community development foundations with reference to institutional roles responsibilities, structure and function;  
build skills for facilitating community participation and self-mobilization;  provide a better understanding of the 
importance of capacity building of effective community- institutional development;  educate and reintegrate and to 
hold workshops to train and to provide financial assistance to militants. 

 



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2.7. Strengths of the Amnesty 
Hon. Kinsley Kuku Special Adviser to the President said that before the proclamation of Amnesty for the Niger 

Delta ex-militants, oil production dropped to an all-time low 700,000 barrels per day. With the initiation of the 
Post-amnesty programme, production immediately rose to 2.4 million barrels per day. Today, production stands at 
2.6 million barrels per day. This means an increase of 1.9 million barrels per day. This means that production 
savings of crude oil stands at $104 million per day for the country.  

The Federal Government further consolidated its gains on its post amnesty programme as the United 
Kingdom Department for International Development [DFID], gave its approval to collaborate in the re-training 
of Niger Delta ex-militants in community reintegration on completion of their ongoing offshore vocational 
training. The collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom Department for International Development, 
is part of the contributions of the international community to bring lasting peace and development to the Niger 
Delta region in particular and the country as a whole. 

 

2.8. Summary Strengths of the Amnesty 

 The Amnesty promoted active listening assertive communication and affirming environment for dialogue 

 It protected the nation’s referent power in the global village 

 Circulation of illegal weapons was reduced, if not eliminated 

 It promoted reconciliation between the militants and the offended residents who want peace to reign 

 The Nigeria government reversed its previously reneged promise on power generation from 6000MW 
target by December 2009 to 60,000MW in 2020 

 Oil production and output increased as a sharp contrast to the oil dropped in the first quarter of 2009 
 

2.9. Constraints of the Amnesty 
Aside the strengths of the programme, its goes with constraints which include: 

  Health problem for instance, ex-Nigerian President Ya’adua and his sudden departure for Saudi Arabia, 
which created a power vacuum, this affected the Post-amnesty plans [Nigerians in America 2010]. 

 The victims of the activities of the militant groups may feel cheated for granting immunity from  
prosecution through the Amnesty to the militants and consequently have distrusting sentiment about the 
law, or plan illegal revenge 

 There is possibility of impression that criminals may go scot free or crime goes unpunished because pardon 
will be eventually granted 

 Okoko and Peterside (2009) argued that the Amnesty lacks transparency, is inadequately planned and has 
no clear cut time frame. 

 Some militant groups were skeptical about the Amnesty because Dokubo-Asari was arrested in the name of  
Amnesty 

 The legal constraint imposed by the United Nations [UN] on serious crimes seems to limit the boundary 
of offences that may be amnestied (Priscilla, 2009) 

 Ethnic and religious crisis in Jos, Borno and other parts of the nation distracted the government attention. 
In comparison the study poses that the strengths of Amnesty programme outweigh the constraints 

 

3. Data Presentation and Analysis 
The data collected through the questionnaire from the youths of the sampled states were presented and 

discussed descriptively using tables, frequencies and percentages. The Hypothesis was tested using One Sample 
Kolmogorov-Smirnov (Z) test.  This was done with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 
17.0. 
 

Table-1. Respondents’ Feeling about the Amnesty Programme 

Response Bayelsa (%) Delta (%) Rivers (%) Total (%) 

The programme only enriches the militants 4 (7.7) 8 (7.2) 8 (8.5) 20 (6.5) 
It is good and welcome development because it brought 
peace and sustain peaceful coexistence 

30 (67.5) 36 (32.4) 77 (43.9) 145 (46.4) 

The programme will determine the government’s 
priority on Niger-Delta 

5 (9.6) 18 (16.2) 8 (5.4) 31 (10.0) 

Indifferent 1 (1.9) 3 (2.7) 11 (7.5) 15 (4.8) 

This programme should go to the right people 11 (21.1) 19 (17.1) 28 (19.0) 58 (18.7) 
Destruction is less and development is enhance 0 (0.0) 22 (19.8) 6 (4.1) 28 (9.0) 
Abolition of indiscriminate killings and dehumanization 1 (1.9) 5 (4.5) 8 (5.4) 14 (4.5) 
Total 52 (100.0) 111 (100.0) 147 (100.0) 310 (100.0) 

   Source: Field Survey, 2015 

 
Table-2. Amnesty’s Usefulness to the Beneficiaries 

 Responses Bayelsa (%) Delta (%) Rivers (%) Total (%) 

It stops kidnapping and killing of human being 8 (15.4) 12 (10.8) 10 (6.8) 30 (9.7) 
It brought peace and security 31 (53.8) 76 (88.4) 67 (55.9) 189 (61.0) 
It is useful to me based on educational benefits 12 (23.1) 10 (9.0) 19 (12.9) 41 (13.2) 
Empowerment 1 (1.9) 13 (11.7) 36 (24.5) 50 (16.1) 
Total 52 (100.0) 111 (100.0) 147 (100.0) 310 (100.0) 

     Source: Field Survey, 2015 

 



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When asked how amnesty was useful to them as beneficiaries, Table 2 reveals that majority of the respondents 
(61%) said it brought peace and security.  Other benefits pointed out by the respondents included empowerment 
(16.1% responses), educational benefits (13.2% responses) and eradication of kidnapping and killings of human 
beings (9.7%). 
 

Table-3. There is Relative Peace in the Niger-Delta Region as a Result of the Amnesty 

State Agree (%) Strong Agree (%) Indifferent (%) Disagree (%) Strongly Disagree (%) Total (%) 

Bayelsa 16 (30.8) 18 (34.6) 4 (7.7) 6 (11.5) 8(15.4) 52 (100.0) 

Delta 74 (66.7) 12 (10.8) 10 (9.0) 12 (10.8) 7(6.3) 111 (100.0) 

Rivers 52 (35.4) 32 (21.8) 21 (14.3) 28 (19) 14(9.5) 147 (100.0) 

Total 142 (45.8) 62 (20.0) 35 (11.3) 42 (13.5) 29(9.4) 310 (100.0) 

Source: Field Survey, 2015 

 
In response to question  Table 3  reveals that 142 respondents (45.8%) and 62 respondents (20%), 35 

respondents (11.3%), 42 respondents (13.5%) and 29 respondents (9.4%) agreed and strongly agreed, indifferent, 
disagreed and strongly disagreed  respectively, that there is relative peace in the Niger-Delta region as a result of 
the Amnesty.  This is the view of the respondents from the various sampled Niger-Delta states. Therefore, the 
study proves that there is relative peace in the Niger Delta region as a result of the Amnesty. 

 
Table-4. The Nigerian Image is boosted as a Result of the Peace Brought about by Amnesty 

State Agree (%) Strong Agree (%) Indifferent (%) Disagree (%) Strongly Disagree (%) Total (%) 

Bayelsa 21 (40.4) 21 (40.4) 4 (7.7) 6 (11.5) 0 52 (100.0) 

Delta 68 (61.3) 23 (20.7) 3 (2.7) 12 (10.8) 5(4.5) 111  (100.0) 

Rivers 62 (42.2) 38 (25.9) 20 (13.6) 15 (10.2) 12(8.2) 147 (100.0) 

Total 151 (48.7) 82 (26.5) 27 (8.7) 33 (10.6) 17(5.5) 310 (100.0) 

        Source: Field Survey, 2015 

 
Table 4 reveals that 151 respondents (48.7%) and 82 respondents (26.5%), 27 respondents (8.7%) 33 

respondents (10.6%), 17 respondents (5.5%) agreed, strongly agreed, indifferent, disagreed and strongly disagreed 
respectively, that the Nigerian image is boosted as a result of the peace brought about by the Amnesty programme.  
This is also true in each of the sampled Niger-Delta states as their individual responses concur with this. As 
regards to the study, Nigerian image is boosted as a result of the peace brought about by the Amnesty programme. 

 
Table-5. The Economic Benefit of Amnesty to the Country 

Response Bayelsa (%) Delta (%) Rivers (%) Total (%) 

Increased revenue, high level of productivity and 
investment opportunities 

28 (53.7) 24 (21.6) 42 (28.1) 94 (30.3) 

None; it is a sheer waste of funds and resources 3 (5.7) 29 (26.1) 30 (20.4) 62 (19.9) 
Human resource development and socio-economic 
independence and stability 

10 (19.2) 34 (30.6) 36 (24.4) 80 (25.9) 

Reduction of vandalisation 2 (3.8) 12 (10.8) 5 (3.4) 19 (6.1) 
Conducive environment 4 (7.7) 4 (3.6) 8 (5.4) 16 (5.2) 
Youth empowerment 5 (9.6) 8 (7.2) 26 (17.7) 39 (12.6) 
Total 52 (100.0) 111 (100.0) 147 (100.0) 310 (100.0) 

          Source: Field Survey, 2015 

 
Table 5 shows the views of the respondents on what they perceived to be the economic benefits of Amnesty to 

the country.  30.3% of the respondents noted that it increased revenue, high level of productivity and investment 
opportunities. While, 25.9% noted that it increased human resource development, socio-economic independence 
and stability. There were other economic benefits pointed out by the respondents, as presented in table 4.14.  
However, it is worthy of note that 62 respondents (19.9%) said that there was no economic benefit of Amnesty to 
the country and that it was a waste of resources.  Out of this 62 persons, 29 of them were from Delta State while 30 
of them were from Rivers state.  This reveals that more of the respondents from Delta and Rivers states were 
disgruntled towards the Amnesty programme than respondents from Bayelsa State. 

 
4. Test of Hypothesis  
4.1. Amnesty Programme does not have Economic Benefits to the Country 

The data presented in Table 5 is used in testing this hypothesis.  The One-Sample Kolmogorv-Smirnov (Z) test 
is used in testing this hypothesis.   

As presented in Table 5 the calculated Z-value is 4.930.  This is less than the critical Z-value of 1.96 (at 95% 
level of significance) i.e. Zcalculated (4.930) > Zcritical (1.96).  This result is significant as p-value of 0.00 < 0.05.  Thus, 
the null hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis accepted accordingly.  Hence, Amnesty programme 
does have economic benefits to the country. 
 

4.1.1. Findings of the Study 
The study also exposes the gains accrued as a result of Amnesty, as well as the inability of the Federal 

government to fulfill its promises in Niger Delta region. It also sheds light on the fact that the programme only 
enriches the militants rather than being channeled to the entire youths of the Niger Delta. The study further 
reveals that most of the real militants are still in the creeks demanding to be amnestied. It further reveals that most 
of the youths who acquired arms and ammunitions during the Governor Odili political campaign were the so-called 



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militants that laid down arms and are presently enjoying the amnesty initiative. Much as this programme would be 
acknowledged as succeeding, it is still pertinent to know that many of the ex-militants are rendered idle and jobless 
in their communities, after the two weeks rehabilitation programme. Many of whom were promised to be sent and 
trained abroad or in school presently have their dreams shattered owing to lack of monitoring or proper 
integration into the society. Therefore, the Federal government should muster the political will to extend the term 
of Amnesty to include those seeking to be amnestied, to sustain the relative peace and benefits the Amnesty 
programme brought to the region. 
 

4.1.2. Summary of the Findings 

 Amnesty programme has significant economic benefits to the country. The calculated Z-value is 4.930.  
This is less than the critical Z-value of 1.96 (at 95% level of significance) i.e. Zcalculated (4.930) > Zcritical 
(1.96).  This result is significant as p-value of 0.00 < 0.05.  Thus, the null hypothesis is rejected and the 
alternative hypothesis accepted.  

 The example of the benefits derived as result of Amnesty include: youth empowerment, reduction of 
vandalisation, human resource development and socio-economic independence and stability, increased 
revenue in the oil and gas sector, creation of Niger Delta Affairs, high level of productivity, reduction 
of knapping and sea piracy and increased investment opportunities etc. 

 There is political interest in the Niger-Delta crisis, in that the Amnesty programme that is meant for 
the entire Niger Delta youths is now being targeted at a handful who has “god fathers.” 

 The nation’s economy which depends largely on oil output has regained stability  

 5,067 of the amnesty beneficiaries had already graduated in skills acquisition fields such as welding and 
fabrication[1,847], entrepreneurship[1,609], pipe fitting [150], carpentry and plumbing[206], oil 
drilling [32], electrical installation [232], ICT [125], marine related courses [567] and others[302], 
while, 95 have been offered direct employment in various governmental and private establishments 
[Field Survey 2015]  

 

5. Conclusion 
There is not a single person or organization that would not want to experience peace, even warmongers.  This 

study on the Amnesty programme is synonymous with peace.  The essence of the Amnesty programme in the 
Niger Delta is to bring about lasting peace to the troubled region.  To this are tied some benefits. It is only in 
peaceful regions that meaningful collaboration and developments can take place.  Where there is investment and 
development, there is influx of income, thus earnings increase and socio-economic development programmes 
abound, which goes a long way in ensuring the safety and the reduction of societal vices.  The cycle goes on.  These 
are all as a result of the realization of peace; via the successful implementation and sustainability of the Amnesty 
programme.  In the realization and sustainability of the Amnesty progromme, there is need to reflect on the Section 
44 [3] of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other enactments which vest the entire control 
and management of oil and gas in Nigeria on the Federal government. This section of the constitution should be 
reviewed in favor of regional ownership of petroleum as practiced in USA and Canada. Constitutional power for the 
management and control of petroleum must be shared with all arms of government.  And also the petroleum policy 
should be made to reflect how Nigeria can develop its petroleum resources in such a way that all Nigerians will 
benefit, in order to maintain and sustain the Post-amnesty peace agreement in the region. These will ensure that 
the gains accrued as a result of Amnesty such as: youth empowerment, reduction of vandalization, human resource 
development and socio-economic independence and stability, increased revenue in the oil and gas sector, creation of 
Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, high level of productivity and investment opportunities would be sustained   Hence it 
is very safe to conclude that Amnesty does have economic benefits to the country.   
 

6. Recommendations 
The benefits accrued as a result of Amnesty programme need to be properly sustained and maintained through 

the effective evaluation and assessments framework.  If they are not embraced in managing Post-amnesty 
Programme, the implications should mean that Post-amnesty Programme would not sustain the Niger Delta peace 
agreement [treaties] beyond its time- frame. Also Post-amnesty Programme would be a waste of money, time and 
human resources and would not bring lasting solution in the region. 

Secondly, if the Post-amnesty Programme is not properly evaluated as to see whether the relative peace being 
enjoyed in the region now is the result of Amnesty programme or a result of President Goodluck Ebele being in 
power, the implication is that there would be more devastation in the region and in the country as a whole after the 
President’s regime. 

Therefore, it is expedient for the Federal government to engage in equitable distribution of resources in the 
country and elimination of bureaucracy such as: corruption, dehumanization, marginalization, and 
underdevelopment and deprivation.  And to ensure that the Niger Delta youths are gainfully employed and 
developed. Anything different from this will render the efforts invested in Post-amnesty Programme a sheer waste. 
The issue of management of petroleum resources, if not properly handled could lead to greater devastation, 
political and civil unrest in the Niger Delta.  
 

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Citation | Touitou, Tina C (2016). Does Amnesty Programme in 
Niger Delta have Economic Benefit to Nigeria? Asian Business 
Research Journal, 1: 1-7. 
History:  
Received: 13 May 2016 
Revised: 19 June 2016 
Accepted: 24 June 2016 
Published: 4 July 2016 
Licensed: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 

Attribution 3.0 License  
Publisher:  Eastern Centre of Science and Education 
 

Funding: This study received no specific financial support. 
Competing Interests: The author declares that there are no conflicts of 
interests regarding the publication of this paper. 
Transparency: The author confirms that the manuscript is an honest, 
accurate, and transparent account of the study was reported; that no vital 
features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the 
study as planned have been explained. 
Ethical: This study follows all ethical practices during writing.   

 

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