INTERNATIONAL OIL COMPANIES AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES RELATIONS IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA, SINCE 1956

The paper interrogates the relationship between international oil companies (IOCs) and indigenous communities in Bayelsa State, 1956-2025. These communities are the natural custodians of the black gold found in their backyards, yet they receive no commensurate socioeconomic benefits. Among others, Shell, Agip, Aiteo E & P, Chevron, Total and Exxon Mobil are the major players that have caused these communities significant social, economic and environmental degradation. Arising from major oil spills, deficient compensation and corporate social responsibility, and state repression are the drivers of escalating violent conflicts in the state. At the height of this persistent conflict, the General Memoranda of Understanding (GMOUs) were born to facilitate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, such as the provision of social amenities, in most cases without local content, creating distrust between them. The power dynamics and hegemony theory were used to analyze the persistent conflict cycles in their relationships while data were collected through a desk library review on relevant literature, as well as primary sources. The finding reveals decades of fundamental underdevelopment, significant environmental degradation, among others are the major causes of these conflict cycles.