Corporate Social Irresponsibility (CSI) a Catalyst to the Niger Delta Crisis: The Case of Nigerian Oil Multinational Companies versus the Militants of Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

The Niger Delta crisis was as a result of years of neglect of the states that constitute the oil rich Niger Delta States. This study aims to see the contribution of the multinational oil companies towards this unrest. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a discipline came into business management just recently but has made a lot of impact towards the development of the communities where businesses are located. This study intends to look at how and what have been done and what have been left undone by the Multinational Companies (MNCs) that invariably initiated or contributed to the civil unrest of the Niger Delta (the communities where crude oil is abundantly found). The study employing qualitative and multi-method (secondary and primary sources) concludes that the MNCs have behaved irresponsibly towards the host communities through their philanthropic gestures rather than behaving responsibly by genuinely holding and treating the communities as real stakeholders.