Published 2023-07-31
Keywords
- Amnesty programme,
- re-integration,
- ex-militants,
- Niger Delta,
- Nigeria
How to Cite
How to Cite
Abstract
The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is reputed for its rich crude oil deposits which account for 90 percent of the country’s export earnings. The region has, however, remained highly underdeveloped, a situation that triggered restiveness until the administration of then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua declared amnesty to the militants with a re-integration policy. There have been concerns whether the re-integration phase of the amnesty programme has, indeed, achieved its aims. This forms the objectives of this study which seeks to ascertain whether the reintegration policy has provided ex-militants with necessary vocatioal skills for self-employment as well as whether it empowered the ex-militants with capital grants to enable them set up survival enterprises. To achieve these objectives, the study adopted the Disarmament, Demobilization and Rehabilitation theory as framework of analysis. The study adopted survey design/method and employed both primary and secondary means of data collection. Among other things, the study found out that the Amnesty Programme has, to a great extent, achieved its aim having trained majority of ex-militants in different skills and vocation both in Nigeria and outside. It also found out that majority of the ex-militants in the Niger Delta have also been provided with capital grants to start up a business after training. The study, however, suggested speedy rehabilitation of the ex-militants who are yet to be accommodated in the training programme while those yet to get grants should be given such as soon as they graduate.