Let me try to summarize the relationship among oil, conflict, governance, and economics as best I can. Nigeria is the second-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa and all of that oil is located in the southern Niger Delta region. The area suffers from endemic environmental degradation that has negatively impacted Niger Deltans’ ability to fish, farm, and find clean drinking water.  Unfair distribution of wealth has given rise to several insurgent groups and various resistance movements, leaving the Delta with a seemingly intractable civil conflict. The Nigerian state is among the most corrupt in the world, and experienced unstable military rule until just the last decade. Despite earning massive oil revenues, 70% of Nigerians live below the poverty line.  In this blog, I will explore how these conditions affect social mobilization and resistance movements against the state and oil companies.