Nigeria
In Nigeria, Oxfam's focus is on livelihoods, Fair Trade, and helping communities affected by the oil industry assert their rights.
Dealing with the oil industry
Nigeria's oil reserves are a source of great potential worth. But years of environmental abuse caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta have damaged the land and fishing waters that communities traditionally relied on for a living.
The profits from the oil industry flow almost exclusively into the pockets of big oil companies and a corrupt local elite.
Our farmlands and coconut plantations have all been killed by petrol in the soil.
Chief Jimoh Alli, local chief of Oko, Ata village
How Oxfam is helping
We support communities in the Niger Delta to achieve a clean environment and ensure they are not exploited by large oil corporations. We also monitor oil companies to make sure they abide by improved labour, human rights and environmental standards.
Improving farmers' livelihoods
Some 70 per cent of Nigerians depend on agriculture to make a living. Yet, Nigeria’s farming industry has failed to keep up with the country’s growing population.
Nigeria experiences regular food shortages and, although once a large exporter, has become a major importer of food in the region. With the government’s annual budget allocation to agriculture standing at a mere one per cent, farming is becoming a less and less sustainable livelihood, especially for the younger generation.
How Oxfam is helping
We work with small-scale farmers to help them improve food production, and sell their food in markets. We encourage farmers to form producer groups together and use their collective voice to lobby decision-makers for extra support and resources.
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Campaigning for fairer trade
The dumping of cheap, highly-subsidised, Western products on the Nigerian market has put thousands of Nigerians out of business.
Local producers can’t compete with the cheap cotton and rice that flood the market from overseas. This leads to high unemployment. Rather than acting as a way of helping people work their way out of poverty, unfair trade rules are doing the exact opposite.
How Oxfam is helping
We aim to help small-scale entrepreneurs, especially women, get a fair price for their products. We work to:
- Help producer associations campaign for fairer trade rules
- Ensure the government is well equipped to negotiate for fairer trade policies that favour small-scale producers at an international level
What to help? Add your voice to the call for fairer trade rules
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