Crude Oil Exploitation and Livelihood Vulnerability in Bayelsa State, Nigeria: A Comparative Community-Based Analysis

This study investigates the livelihood implications of crude oil exploitation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, focusing on three oil-impacted communities Ayamasa, Ibelebiri, and Ikarama and a control community, Okumbiri. A structured questionnaire was administered to 394 household heads selected through purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics using SPSS revealed that in Ikarama, 66.7% of respondents rated the impact of crude oil on their livelihoods as “Very High,” followed by Ibelebiri (57.6%) and Ayamasa (21.8%). Conversely, 76.6% of respondents in Okumbiri reported “No Perceived Impact.” In terms of fishery resources, 54.2% in Ikarama and 48.5% in Ibelebiri reported all listed impact indicators including fish mortality and habitat destruction. On flora degradation, 47.4% in Ayamasa and 43.8% in Ikarama cited cumulative impacts such as deforestation and alien species invasion. Soil degradation was similarly reported, with 51.5% in Ibelebiri and 45.8% in Ikarama noting multiple disruptions including farmland loss and toxic infiltration. Results confirm the spatial disparity between oil-impacted and control communities, highlighting oil exploitation’s profound ecological and socioeconomic effects. The study recommends targeted remediation, participatory governance, and inclusive development frameworks for Niger Delta communities.