Expansion of oil palm plantations in Nigeria: social and environmental impacts

Abstract

Obviously, the main reason for the dramatic expansion of oil palm plantations, notwithstanding their adverse impacts on people and environment, is that these provide big profits (revenue/returns) driven by stronger demand to domestic and international plantation owners and investors. The huge economic returns (profits) may be as a result of cheap labour, low cost of sales or rent of land, high demand, support from non governmental organization and other donors and so on. The paper observed, however, that despite the mega profits that can be realized, there are also serious social and environmental cost which adversely impact on the indigenous people and forest dwellers.

Keywords: Expansion, Revenue, cost, oil palm and plantation.