High Stakes and Stakeholders

Kenneth Omeje, Professor of International Relations at the United States International University, Nairobi, Kenya

• Contents: Introduction: the rentier space; The domestic security environment and perspectives on the Nigerian oil conflict; The historical and institutional contexts of the oil conflict; Ahead of the game: Shell's responsiveness to domestic threats; Relatively at ease: ExxonMobil's oil operations and security threats; Chevron's oil operations and security threats: doing business in the 'Battle Frontline'; The state and management of the oil conflict; Key oil stakeholders, security and security sector reform; Discussion and conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

'In High Stakes and Stakeholders Kenneth Omeje has produced a timely and most invaluable text on the relationship between oil conflict, security and the rentier state in Nigeria. The analysis is theoretically sophisticated and the case studies are well crafted and grounded in the contemporary history of Nigeria. This text is a challenge to the policy makers and essential reading for all those interested in the future of Africa's most populous nation.' Tunde Zack-Williams, University of Central Lancashire, UK '...a lively, comprehensive account of the impact of the oil industry in Nigeria for the people, the state and the economy. This is a very well researched and documented account...By the end of this book the reader should have a very clear understanding of all the major issues involved in this tragic but extremely important history.' Oliver Furley, Coventry University, UK 'While Kenneth Omeje's book is focused on Nigeria, his comparative insights help us understand the wider role of oil as a trigger of conflict in the global south. Kenneth Omeje brilliantly analyzes the interplay between international oil companies, local political and economic elites, angry oil-producing communities, and vulnerable states under the curse of petroleum.' Ali A. Mazrui, State University of New York, USA 'This book provides rich empirical material on the developments of the oil conflict in Nigeria. A large part of the book is devoted to understanding the response of the oil companies to the growing political unrest in the Niger Delta region. The book also makes interesting comparisons between the predatory and unstable rentier politics in Nigeria and more contained and regulated rentierism, characteristic of the Middle Eastern oil-rich economies.' Journal of Peace Research