Multinational Corporations and Environmental Degradation: a Study of Ogbia Local Government, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

This study examines the impact of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) on environmental degradation in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Despite being resource-rich, Ogbia remains economically marginalized, with local communities suffering extensive ecological damage primarily due to oil extraction activities by MNCs such as Shell and others. Using a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative interviews with community members, government agencies, and corporate representatives, the research investigates the roles of transparency, accountability, community involvement, and socio-economic inequality in shaping environmental outcomes. The study is anchored in Political Ecology and Dependency Theories, which explains how power imbalance and structural economic dependencies exacerbate environmental harm and limit local agency. Findings reveal persistent regulatory failures, weak enforcement of environmental laws and tokenistic community participation, resulting in continued ecological destruction and economic dependency. This study recommends stronger institutional engagement, and enhanced corporate accountability to promote sustainable development and environmental justice in Ogbia. This research contributes to the discourse on environmental governance in oil-producing regions and offers policy insights for mitigating the adverse effects of MNC operations on vulnerable host communities.