GROWTH IN OIL THEFT AND THE NIGERIAN STATE RESPONSE EVIDENCE OF A FAILED STATE?

Abstract

Is the inability of the Nigerian State to effectively deai with the challenge of oil theft. an evidence of state [ailure? This paper was developed to answer this question. The analysis which was located in the failed state debate indicates that Nigeria is not yet a failed State, rather, it is a failing State. Nigeria's rating in the failed states index shows that the country's capacity to perform its core functions have deteriorated badly; but not absolutely, indicating that the Nigerian State has not failed, but isfailing. Thisin our view explains the country's inability to adequately checkmate the growth in oil theft which relates to state failure measures such as state legitimacy, defined by corruption, government effectiveness, and illiciteconomy which the oil theft trade represents.