International records / OpenAlex research

The Hidden Crisis: How Oil Extraction in the Niger Delta Is Fueling a Public Health Emergency

Rationale: The Niger Delta, home to over 30 million people, is one of the world’s most resource-rich regions, contributing approximately 90% of Nigeria’s oil revenues. However, it faces severe environmental degradation, with oil extraction activities resulting in widespread pollution. Hydrochemical analyses have shown that levels of petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals in both surface and groundwater sources exceed international safety standards by up to 200% in certain areas. These pollutants, affecting water, soil, and air, directly lead to chronic health conditions, including gastrointes…